ALISON LOHMAN (Astrid Magnusson) was cast in the starring role in White Oleander after an exhaustive nationwide search in which some 400 young actresses auditioned for the coveted role. Lohman is currently in production on director Ridley Scott's Matchstick Men, starring opposite Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell, and recently starred in the FOX TV series, Pasadena.

The California native began performing in musical theater when she was 10 years old, and as a child she sang and danced in local productions such as The Sound of Music. At age 11, Lohman won the Desert Theater League Award for Most Outstanding Actress in a Musical for the title role in Annie.

Lohman was accepted at New York University School of the Arts in the Cap 21 Program, but opted instead to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in film. She also spent a summer session in workshops at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. On television Lohman starred in the TV movie Sharing the Secret, with Diane Ladd and Tim Matheson.