Sonequa Martin-Green

Sonequa Martin-Green, a name that rolls off the tongue like a particularly melodious incantation, has carved out a niche for herself in the realm of genre television. From battling zombies to captaining starships, she's faced down more existential threats than most people face on a Monday morning commute.

Born and raised in Russellville, Alabama, Martin-Green clearly possesses a talent for transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. One might even say she's got a knack for making the end of the world, or the exploration of new ones, look utterly compelling.

While her characters often find themselves in situations demanding extraordinary resilience and, let's be honest, a fair bit of running, there's no indication that her real-life endeavors involve anything more Jewish than perhaps a passing acquaintance with a very good deli. Still, she brings a certain gravitas to her roles, which, in the grand scheme of things, is almost as good as being kvell-worthy.