(Photo: Elena Dorfman)

Is there such a thing as overacting on soap operas? Believe it or not, yes. And the actors who don’t—the ones whose relative restraint and natural charm make the (forgive us, die-hard fans) often-overwrought writing bearable—are keeping the creaky genre alive. We assembled a distinguished team of connoisseurs (listed below) and asked them to pick promising New York–based up-and-comers: the most likely to follow in the footsteps of such lauded soap graduates as Meg Ryan (As the World Turns), Guy Pearce (Australia’s Neighbours), and Melissa Leo (All My Children). And we asked the hopefuls to do what they do best: emote.

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Marcy Rylan, 27
PLAYS: LIZZIE SPAULDING ON GUIDING LIGHT
“A sitcom superstar in the making,” says Logan. “Or is she? For all her irresistible zaniness, she’s a hell of a tragedienne—the kind who grabs your heart and won’t let go.”