She gained acclaim and international recognition for portraying the lead role of Emily Thorne on the ABC series Revenge (2011–2015).

She portrays Sharon Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), first appearing in the film Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014).

[2] Her father, Robert VanCamp, is an animal nutritionist, and her first job was working for him, delivering food to clients in and around her hometown.

[8] She then was cast in the second part of a special three-part episode of the Canadian children's horror anthology television series Are You Afraid of the Dark?

The following year saw the release of her first theatrical film, the lesbian-themed drama Lost and Delirious, in which she played a supporting role as Jessica Paré's sister, and another television guest spot in an episode of the short-lived medical horror series All Souls, where she played a hit-and-run victim with spinal trauma.

VanCamp's performance as the lead character's younger sister caught the eye of former Dawson's Creek writer Greg Berlanti.

VanCamp's next big role came at age 20 when Everwood creator Greg Berlanti cast her as a regular midway into the first season of the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters, which he was showrunning, offering her the part directly.

VanCamp also starred in the two-part TV film Ben Hur, the latest adaptation of Lew Wallace's 1880 novel, in which she played Ben-Hur's wife Esther.

[15][16] As the first TV show VanCamp truly headlined, Revenge gave her a significant amount of recognition, including multiple Teen Choice Awards nominations.

[23] Based on a true story, the film centers on VanCamp's character Alice, a 28-year-old assistant book editor and aspiring writer.

To fund its post-production, the film's producers launched a crowdfunding Kickstarter campaign on June 17, 2013, which successfully surpassed its $65,000 goal on July 1.

[31][32] She is also an accomplished dancer who studied and trained in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and tap as a child, which she credits with helping her through her fight scenes on Revenge.