If you’re among the millions who have already flocked to theatres to see Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland (be it in 2D, 3D or IMAX 3D or whatever) then you’re probably wondering two things: 1. Where’s all the fun songs and goofy characters that were in the cartoon version I loved when I was little? 2. Who in the heck is this girl playing Alice?

Mia Wasikowska, who plays Alice, is an Australian born actress who most of us Americans have never seen or heard of before. However, you will be seeing more of her very soon. Mia got started in film back in 2004, with a small role on an Australian soap opera. She then delved into a lot of independent and short films (two genres that stay off the American mainstream radar on the whole).

After staying relatively underground, Alice In Wonderland is by far her biggest role so far and a true breakout for the young starlet – She better send Tim Burton a super nice thank you card. As a result of her newly acquired limelight, you’ll see Mia in a new Gus Van Sant film in 2011 among a couple other indie films. Keep your eye on this new star, she has a bright future ahead of her.