as luck would have it

Yes, timing and tenacity are the main things for an actor to have.

Timing tends to be the better of the two.

I was told of the actress that plays Morgana on the new Merlin series that the BBC has (now running as a 'first run' for the summer on NBC in NYC).

Turns out she was a costume person, and was encouraged to pursue acting. Playing Morgana in Merlin is her SECOND gig. Just heard BBC is shooting second season of Merlin. Not bad.

Don't know if she had any acting training but obviously someone felt she was on the wrong side of the entertainment business curtain. Hmm.