Ex-EastEnders actors Sam Strike, Ben Hardy, and David Witts are the latest stars to take America by storm
Many young actors dream of getting a part in their favourite soap.
But for some, that dream just isn't big enough and they set their sights across the pond and while for most, that dream ends in tears, a select few slip manage to claw their way up the greasy Hollywood pole and conquer the industry and live the American dream.
With former EastEnders stars Ben Hardy, Sam Strike and David Witts landing lead roles in movies and television shows across the pond recently, it's never been a better time to be a British actor or actress.
From Game of Thrones to True Blood, X-Men: Apocalypse to Frankstein, Brits soapstars are taking over in a big way so why not check out a list of the latest batch of British soap talent who've left soapland behind to make it big in America below.
Sam Strike
Sam Strike is the latest in a long line of soap stars to transfer his talent over the pond.
The actor's agent recently revealed on Twitter that the 21-year-old had been offered the lead role in a 'big US film', leading many to speculate that he's going to be the new Spider-Man.
Strike quit his role as EastEnders' Johnny Carter last year, saying that he didn't feel like his character was really necessary to the soap, and it looks like the gamble paid off.
Ben Hardy
Ben joined the cast of EastEnders as Peter Beale in 2013 and became Albert Square's musclebound hottie.
The 24-year-old spent his days selling apples and pears on his market stall in Walford, teasing the viewers with sneaky peaks of his ripped torso, all the while confusing them as they wondered how Ian Beale produced him.
Now, the actor has hung up his apron and has signed on to play a 'key role' in the upcoming superhero movie, X-Men: Apocalypse. Exciting times!
Nathalie Emmanuel
Not a bad stint for the Hollyoaks star who's character, Sasha Valentine who went from a shy girl to heroin addiction, prostitution and a being a gangster's moll.
Nathalie Emmanuel left the soap in 2010, and apart from bit parts in Casualty and Misfits, it looked like her star was about to die, until she landed a role in the hottest drama on television.
The Essex girl walked straight onto the set of Game of Thrones - to play former slave Missandei - and saved her career. She's now landed a roll in big budget sequel The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials and she seems set for life.
Ricky Whittle
Most remembered for his amazing abs and being generally hot all over, Ricky Whittlecarved out a name for himself as Calvin Valentine (Sasha's big brother) in Hollyoaks.
But since then the former soapstar has gone up and up with the 33-year-old dancing his way to second place in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 before landing himself a role in CW drama The 100.
Leaping at the chance to show off his torso once again, Ricky plays a warrior called Lincoln who falls in love with one of the sky people.
Robert Kazinsky
Playing the part of Sean Slater in EastEnders, Robert Kazinsky spent three years as the unlucky-in-love character.
After moving to Hollywood, Kasinsky bucked the trend by joining the final season ofTrue Blood as a vampire fairy hybrid that saw him lock lips with leading lady Anna Paquin before trying to kill her.
Then more success followed when the 31-year-old actor landed a role in the megabudget hit Pacific Rim, before signing on to play the lead role in Fox's Frankenstein.
Anna Friel
Anna Friel made British history when her character, Beth Jordache had a lesbian kiss in the channel 4 soap.
Shortly after this, 38-year-old Friel won the National Television Award for most popular actress on Brookside.
Although the actress racked up a few small parts over the pond, she's best know for her role as Charlotte in Pushing Daisies.
David Witts
David Witts 23-year-old did a short stint in EastEnders as Joey branning.
It obviously paid off as he went on to win Sexiest Male at the Inside Soap Awards and Most Popular Newcomer at the National Television Awards in 2013.
Sadly, David had bigger plans and set his sights on the American Drama, Recovery Road, where he plays a rehab counsellor.
Max Brown
This handsome hunk paved his way in the acting field playing parts in Grange Hill,Hollyoaks, Doctors and Casualty.
Max then went on to play Edward Seymour in The Tudors for two years, as well as a leading role in the final series of Spooks, but he's gone from strength to strength by landing a regular role on American telly.
The 34-year-old stars in Beauty and the Beast as scientist Evan Marks.
Michelle Ryan
Michelle Ryan played Zoe Slater, who found out that her sister Kat was in fact her mother.
We may not have seen much of her as late, but 30-year-old Ryan looked set to make it big time when she left EastEnders in 2005.
The Actress took the lead role as Jaime Sommers in the short-lived Bionic Woman, which didn't go amazingly, but she later turned it all round by landing a role in Doctor Who before finding her feet.
Ryan joined the cast of Covert Affairs playing Auggie's assumed dead wife Helen Horton.