Erika Christensen as Julia Braverman-Graham on Parenthood

Christensen found regular work as a child actress before breaking out as a teen, including her role in Traffic. Christensen’s turn as the high-strung, major-type-A Julia is wonderfully acted. A woman who faces the great tensions of reversed family roles (she’s the breadwinner) and infertility, Julia struggles with keeping her need for control in check. We’re rooting for Julia and Joel to work things out.