She only had a few credits to her name when Hollywood snapped her up.
Yvonne Strahovski was 23 and had landed the role of Sarah Walker in the comedy-drama series Chuck.
After five seasons on Chuck and a recurring role in Dexter, Strahovski is back in the limelight starring opposite Kiefer Sutherland in the new season of 24.
Strahovski plays the role of Kate Morgan, a CIA field operative in London, in the 24 reboot, 24: Live Another Day.
Strahovski was offered a role in the 12-part series without auditioning.
She said she was drawn to the role.
"I liked that she was a little bit complicated," Strahovski said.
"When we first met her, she didn't have a lot going for her personally and professionally.
"It seems like she was starting from a low point and building herself up as the episodes went on."
Strahovski lived in Werrington Downs for the five years of her life, before her family decided to move to Bass Hill, then Ashfield and eventually to "the beach".
Although her memories of Werrington Downs are cloudy, it was memories of studying at the University of Western Sydney in Penrith that have been a standout.
"I think there was 25 of us [in the year] and we were very tight knit," Strahovski said.
"It was very much a family unit.
"I have very fond memories and very close friends still from that time period."
Strahovski started acting lessons when she was 12.
She landed half a dozen commercial gigs, then that led to a couple of guest-starring roles here and there and then a role in Australian TV drama series Headland.
That was three years before the actress decided to jump on a plane to LA to try to make it in the tough acting business.
Strahovski said she always knew that she wanted to be an actor.
"I was always in front of the home video camera," she said.
"Mum would always film me and I would coax my friends into coming over after school to make movies, documentaries and music videos.
"It was something that I always did and it was my top priority at school to do drama activities and jam in as many as I could into my school curriculum," she said.
She has confirmed that she will star in indie film Manhattan Nocturne opposite Oscar-winner actor Adrien Brody.
24: Live Another Day is available on Blu-ray and DVD from October 1.
