While there seem to have been some strong male performances in 2008 a string of talented young actresses, many of them British, have also been making a name for themselves.

FemaleFirst takes a look back over the year to uncover those who have left a real impression and what lies next for them.

Gemma Arterton burst onto the scene last Christmas as part of the St Trinian’s cast that enjoyed some major box office success during the festive period. But her career looks set to soar with her appearance as Agent Strawberry Fields in the latest Bond film Quantum of Solace.

As well as on the big screen she also had two very successful television series Lost in Austen, as Elizabeth Bennet for two episodes and Tess of the d’Urbervilles in the lead role.

Despite being a surprise choice to be one of Daniel Craig’s Bond girls she will have more big budget success in 2010 with her role in the silver screen version of computer game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

And 2009 sees her star in the Boat That Rocked, set in 1966 and tells of the United Kingdom pirate radio movement, which used a legal loophole to broadcast to audiences of up to 25 million from ships anchored off the coast of the UK, alongside Bill Nighy and Philip Seymour Hoffman.