What he’s done: Marsan just starred in the Emmy-winning PBS miniseries adaptation of “Little Dorrit,” but he’s been a working actor in Hollywood for years. His recent films include “Mission: Impossible III,” “The New World,” “V for Vendetta” and “Vera Drake.”
What he’s playing: In “Sherlock,” Marsan plays Inspector Lestrade, described in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books as “a little sallow rat-faced, dark-eyed fellow.” Lestrade is considered to be one of the best detectives at Scotland Yard because Holmes regularly allows him to take credit for Holmes’ deductions. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
What he’s done: Tim Burton fans will remember Bower from his feature debut as the tenor-voiced lovelorn sailor Anthony in the director’s adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd.” He’s also set to star as Gellert Grindelwald in the final Harry Potter films, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
What he’s playing: In “New Moon,” Bower will play Caius, one of the Volturi, a clan of ruling vampires living in Italy. He is described as cruel, power-hungry and insistent that Bella not be allowed to leave Italy alive. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
Where to see her: “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”
What she’s done: Cole has walked the catwalk as a model for such designers as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Jean Paul Gaultier and more, and her face has graced the pages of fashion magazines such as Vogue and V.
What she’s playing: Cole took a break from the runway to star as Valentina, the daughter of “Imaginarium’s” title character, played by Christopher Plummer. (Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images)
Where to see him: “The Road”
What he’s done: The young Australian actor’s most prominent role was in 2007’s “Romulus, My Father,” a film based on the memoir of professor Raimond Gaita. He gained critical acclaim for his role as the son of a strained couple played by Eric Bana and Franka Potente.
What he’s playing: Smit-McPhee takes another turn playing a son, this time to Oscar -nominated actor Viggo Mortensen, in “The Road,” the onscreen adapation of Cormac McCarthy‘s post-apocalyptic novel. (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)