2010 Breakout Stars

Its been quite a year for television, what with the mystifying series LOST coming to an epic end as well as the welcome introduction of new dramas and return of our most discussed TV shows.

Fl@unt picks out the TV stars who have shone particularly this year for their diverse acting ability and promise of greater achievements to come in 2011...

VICKY McCLURE

There's no doubt that the title of UK programme of the year belongs to This is England '86. After only running for a course of four episodes in September, this spin-off based on the 2006 film contains a quality of acting reflecting a sense of gritty realism unlike any other show on UK television currently. The character responsible for bringing forward such effecting screenplay is Lol played by Nottingham native Vicky McClure. The 27-year-old bravely reveals the plight of an abuse victim silenced by her inner demons. This woman deserves every TV award going for her remarkable performance.

JACK O'CONNELL

Any UK teenager who has seen Skins is aware of the hyper, unsettling personality Jack injects in his character   Cook on the show. The cast bowed earlier this year to make way for a revamp of the show, but not before leaving UK viewers with typical dramatically unbalanced series of events. Cook received arguably the harshest blows, going to prison, losing the girl he loves to his best friend and basically losing himself as a result. Jack displays the torn conflictions of formally loud, lary lad perfectly - can't wait to see more from him.

BLAKE LIVELY

We're used to seeing her dressed to high fashion perfection as Serena Vanderwoodsen in Gossip Girl, however Blake shows she's not grown too comfortable in the 'High Society' role as she plays a drug addict in 'The Town' directed by Ben Affleck. The film surrounds a bank robbing gang from Boston and Blake plays the ex of one of the robbers. Sure it's easy to look unkept with smudgy make-up, but Blake also brings townie authenticity to the role of a helpless, fallen young woman on the streets. This will no doubt gain Blake more diverse roles outside of the show.

ROBERT SHEEHAN

The joker of the Misfits gang on E4, this Irish 22-year-old practically steals the show every episode. His cheeky rude comments can't help but make you laugh and squirm at the same time. The writing of the show obviously moves the characters from A to B however its the personalities of the actors - most noticeably brought by Robert - that are responsible for the high demand of the show. Misfits is back on UK television in Autumn 2011.