Samantha Barks

U. K. singer-actress Samantha Barks was chosen over a wide and varied array of name talent, from Scarlett Johansson to singer Taylor Swift, to play Eponine, the doomed young heroine of "Les Misérables" in the 2012 film version of the famed musical. Prior to her ascent to fame, she was largely unknown outside of her native Isle of Man, save for her participation in the competition series "I'd Do Anything" (BBC, 2008- ), on which she placed …