Radha Mitchell's career arc: From Australian soap to blockbuster movies to 'Red Widow'

Radha Mitchell might not be a household name -- yet -- but she's made a career out of playing opposite some of Hollywood's biggest male stars.

She's played the wives, girlfriends, and love interests of A-listers like Johnny Depp, Denzel Washington, and Will Ferrell. But soon, Mitchell will be the headliner in ABC's new drama, "Red Widow."

It's been a long, wild ride for the Australian actress. Let's take a look back at Mitchell's exhilarating career arc:

Early days in Australia

Mitchell began her career at the age of 15 in the Australian kids' show "Sugar and Spice," and then, like many other young Aussie actors -- including Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kylie Minogue -- joined the cast of the soap "Neighbours." But Mitchell craved something more serious, so it was time to head overseas to New York City.

See Mitchell in "Neighbours":

Indie darling

Mitchell first made a name for herself in American cinema in "High Art," an Independent Spirit Award-winning film. She played a woman who discovers another side to her sexuality after meeting a famous photographer (Ally Sheedy).

"After that, I was offered lots of lesbian roles, but I didn't want them because I'd already played the best there was," she said.

As much as indie movies had taught her, Mitchell headed for the next stop on her journey: Hollywood.

Blockbuster babe

For the next several years, Mitchell racked up a resumé playing roles opposite leading men that would make any actress envious. She did "Pitch Black" with Vin Diesel, "Man on Fire" with Denzel Washington, "Finding Neverland" with Johnny Depp, Woody Allen's "Melinda, Melinda" with Will Ferrell, and the hugely successful "Silent Hill" with Sean Bean.

Off the set, she hung out with fellow Aussies Naomi Watts and Heath Ledger, before his death.

In between all the blockbusters, Mitchell still found time for smaller indie movies like "The Waiting City" and "Big Sur." But once again, she felt it was time to move on … to TV.

Leading lady

As Marta Walraven, aka the "Red Widow," Mitchell has found a role she can sink her teeth into. "[She] is pretty much my dream character to play," the actress told television critics in January.

[Related: Check out photos from 'Red Widow']

"I feel like exciting characters are on television, right now," she explained. "This opportunity to really explore a character within the complex aspects of what a story could be was very interesting to me."

The 2-hour premiere of "Red Widow" airs Sunday, 3/3 at 9 PM on ABC.