Fall TV 2009: Zap2it's 9 faces to watch

Almost every TV season brings us a combination of show and role that makes a working actor a star (think Simon Baker in "The Mentalist"), or unearths a supporting character who pops off the screen and consistently steals scenes from the leads (a la Jack McBrayer on "30 Rock"). And a new season always brings the possibility of making a previously little-known name a breakout sensation (see Lively, Blake).

It's going to happen this year too. After a strike-depressed fall last season, 2009-10 has a better-than-average slate of new shows, both comedies and dramas. With those 20-plus shows comes any number of potential breakout performances. Here are nine we think are really worth keeping an eye on.

-- Rick Porter, Zap2it

Related:

Zap2it's Fall TV Preview
Nine must-see new shows
All the new shows