Phoebe Tonkin

Phoebe Tonkin rode the fast track to fame with scene-stealing performances on The CW primetime serials "The Secret Circle" (2011-12) and its more successful predecessor "The Vampire Diaries" (2009-17). The Sydney-born actress launched her career on Australian television with a lead role as a teen mermaid on the fantasy adventure series "H2O: Just Add Water" (Network Ten, 2006-2010). Tonkin moved to Los Angeles in 2011 and quickly landed a plum role on "The Secret Circle," a series revolving around a coven of witches living in Washington. Even though the show received mixed reviews and suffered from low ratings, Tonkin emerged as its breakout star. Cancelled after just one season, "Circle" set the stage for the Australian actress to take on another supernatural role on "The Vampire Diaries." Based on a young adult series of novels by L.J. Smith, the hit drama boasted a sexy and talented cast of up-and-comers, led by series stars Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder. During the show's fourth season, Tonkin was cast as Hayley, a werewolf with a mysterious past, who plays both sides of the fence when it comes to vampires and her fellow lycanthrope. So successful was she in the role, when a "Diaries" spin-off called "The Originals" (The CW, 2013- ) was announced, she hopped over to that production. An incandescent actress, she had immediately won over viewers with her no-nonsense attitude, unique beauty and undeniable charm. Following the end of her character's arc on "The Originals," Tonkin moved immediately into guest appearances on shows like the cable drama "The Affair" (Showtime 2014- ) and starring in the Australian miniseries "Safe Harbour" (SBS 2018).