Contents
Last updated on the 6 August 2024 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: 28 November 1987, Inverness, Scotland.
Karen Gillan, born Karen Sheila Gillan, wasn’t your typical child. While others played in playgrounds, Gillan developed her acting skills in youth theatre groups and school productions at Charleston Academy. This passion for performance wasn’t a passing fancy; by 16, she was determined to turn it into a career.
Karen Gillan’s dedication took her to Edinburgh, where she enrolled in an acting course at Telford College. But her sights were set even higher. At 18, she moved to London to attend the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. It was there that fate intervened. Her talent caught the eye of a modelling agency, launching her briefly into the world of fashion. Gillan walked the runway at London Fashion Week in 2007, but her heart remained firmly set on acting.
Her big break came in 2006 with a minor role in the Scottish detective series “Rebus.” This was followed by appearances in British shows like “Stacked” and “The Kevin Bishop Show,” but it was the science fiction phenomenon “Doctor Who” that catapulted Karen Gillan into the spotlight. In 2010, she landed the coveted role of Amy Pond, the vivacious and witty companion to the Eleventh Doctor. For four seasons, Gillan impressed audiences with her portrayal, earning critical acclaim and several awards, including the Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer.
While “Doctor Who” established her name, Gillan pursued film roles. She appeared in the 2010 thriller “Outcast” and the 2013 romantic comedy “Not Another Happy Ending.” But it was her action heroine turn in the 2017 blockbuster “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” that showcased her versatility. The film’s success spawned a sequel, “Jumanji: Next Level” (2019), solidifying Gillan’s status as a Hollywood action star.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe also beckoned. Karen Gillan landed the role of Nebula, the ruthless adopted sister of Gamora, in the 2014 space opera “Guardians of the Galaxy.” She has since reprised the role in multiple sequels and spin-offs.
In 2024 Karen Gillan played the role of Madeline Crow in the Steven Moffat drama Douglas Is Cancelled.
Karen Gillan married her comedian boyfriend Nick Kocher in a Scottish castle in May 2022.
Suggested viewing
Douglas Is Cancelled (2024)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.0
Douglas Is Cancelled is a gripping drama exploring the rapid downfall of a beloved news anchor. An ill-timed joke at a wedding is weaponised on social media, igniting a firestorm of accusations and public outrage. As the cancellation culture machine grinds into action, Douglas’s life unravels, forcing him to confront the consequences of his words and the blurred lines between public persona and private remorse.
Top cast: Hugh Bonneville, Karen Gillan, Alex Kingston, Nick Mohammed, Ben Miles, Madeleine Power, Simon Russell Beale, Joe Wilkinson, Patrick Baladi.
Doctor Who (1963)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.6
Doctor Who is a science fiction television series that follows the adventures of an alien Time Lord known as the Doctor. The Doctor travels through time and space in a TARDIS, a time machine resembling a British police box. Along the way, he encounters various alien races and historical figures, often fighting villains and saving the day.
Top cast: Matt Smith, Karen Gillan (S4-8), Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston, Iain Glen, Sophie Okonedo, Iain Glen, Helen McCrory, Olivia Colman.
