The Rundown: Get to Know these Actresses

As promised on Monday, I thought I would dedicate today's Rundown to hooking you up with five females who will be making waves on the silver screen in 2009.

While you may recognize some of the names, 2009 is sure to be the year that sends them into the stratosphere.

Top 5 Breakout Actresses 2009

5. Julianne Nicholson
If you're a Law & Order junkie like myself, you remember Nicholson from here role on Criminal Intent. The eldest of the lot, her breakout in 2009 will come in the John Krasinski (Jim from The Office) vehicle Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, an adaptation of troubled writer David Foster Wallace's short stories of same name.

4. Maggie Grave
Fans of Lost will surely know Grace from her time on J.J. Abrams' island, but it's two films in 2009 that will take her to the next level. The first is the Liam Neeson film Taken which is getting outstanding reviews and makes my list of Must-See Movies. The second will be Grace's role as Alice in the retelling of the classic children's story twisted up into Malice in Wonderland.

3. Saoirse Ronan
One of the youngest actresses ever nominated for an Academy Award, Ronan turned heads in Atonement. However, I know that since it was a British period piece, many of you skipped it and have no idea who she is. That will change this year with her starring role in the Peter Jackson film The Lovely Bones.

2. Rachel Nichols
Meet the new object of affection for geeks around the world. Not only is she portraying Scarlett in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, but she is also starring in the new Star Trek flick. Creepy, socially awkward fanboys around the world will be scouring the Internet for her picture like never before in 2009.

1. Freida Pinto
Two words: Slumdog Millionaire. Director Danny Boyle's (Trainspotting) latest effort scored four Golden Globes and the first-time actress stars in the film alongside fellow breakout candidate Dev Patel. Not bad for a first gig, huh?