Actresses
To save space and reduce confusion, instead of mentioning favourite roles as people like Professor Trelawny and Annie Wilkes, I've used the film names. The links on the actors names will take you to their pages on IMDB where you can look them up properly.
If the unusual name wasn't interesting enough, she's very watchable - even if her movies aren't always the best. As to whether she's got acting abilities, compare the Fifth Element, The Messenger and Resident Evil. They're all action roles (which is a rare plus for females) but they're quite different. Milla also seems to have drama in the bag and it's great that she's working after motherhood (another less common occurrence).
Favourite roles: Resident Evil, Fifth Element, Messenger, Faces in the Crowd, Ultraviolet, Three Musketeers, The Fourth Kind, Stone
Emma is always quite bright and quirky and her roles from Junior, to Nanny McPhee and Harry Potter are always a delight to watch. Her roles in British sitcoms Bridget Jones' Diary and Love Actually are pretty good too.
Favourite roles: Junior, Harry Potter, Years and Years, Nanny McPhee, Bridget Jones, Love Actually, The Children Act
I first noticed Emily Watson in Breaking the Waves and wondered why an actress would put herself through such an emotionally difficult role. Since then, she's played highly emotive roles in a wide variety of films. She's easily the best dramatic actress of recent years and deserves a lot more recognition than she gets.
Favourite roles: Breaking the Waves, Chenobyl, Oranges and Sunshine, The Book Thief, Little Boy, Red Dragon, Within the Whirlwind, War Horse, Angela's Ashes, Corpse Bride (Voice)
Kathy Bates is a powerhouse. She completely stole the scenes in Misery and every scene she was in from Titanic. A very different kind of actress to the Hollywood standard - and a welcome change too.
Favourite roles: Misery, Dolores Claiborne, Titanic, The Office, Mike and Molly, The Big Bang Theory, American Horror Story, Tammy.
For a while it looked like Natalie was burnt out after Star Wars and then suddenly she took off in new and exciting directions. I love that she's trying to be a role model and that she's pushing new and different kinds of films.
Favourite roles: Black Swan, V for Vendetta, Star Wars, Thor, Mars Attacks, Cold Mountain, Annihilation