Biography for
Karen Gillan More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

28 November 1987, Inverness, Scotland, UK

Birth Name

Karen Sheila Gillan

Height

5' 11" (1.80 m)

Mini Biography

Karen grew up in Inverness, Scotland and developed a love for acting very early on, attending several youth theatre groups and taking part in a wide range of productions at her school, Charleston Academy.

At age 16, Karen decided she wanted to pursue her acting career further and, a year later, secured a place at the prestigious Italia Conti academy in London. During her first year, she landed a role in "Rebus" (2000) and soon appeared in a variety of programs including Channel 4's Stacked (2008) (TV) and "The Kevin Bishop Show" (2008). Karen also stars in the forthcoming film Outcast (2010), starring James Nesbitt.

When she's not acting, Karen likes to play the piano and loves rummaging through vintage clothes shops.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Questnl

Trivia

Grew up in Inverness, Scotland.

Studied at Italia Conti academy in London.

Plays the piano.

Used the code word 'Panic Moon' (an anagram of 'Companion'), when auditioning for the role of the Doctor's assistant/companion.

Cousin of Caitlin Blackwood, who plays the younger Amy Pond.

Voted Best Actress by readers of "Doctor Who" magazine for her stint on the 2010 season of "Doctor Who" (2005).

Personal Quotes

Discussing Amy's relationship with the Doctor: She (Amy Pond) doesn't take his (the Doctor's) word as gospel and she's always happy to challenge him. If he tells her to do something then she won't necessarily do it, she might go off and do her own thing which can sometimes create a rift between the two of them! They are best pals though and it's a very up and down relationship because they are both very passionate people.

Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him. I just can't wait to get started.

After winning the role as Amy Pond, she announced: I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion. The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it.

I got a recall to come in and read with Matt [the eleventh Doctor] and that was quite funny, actually, because, I wasn't allowed to tell anyone that I was auditioning, what I was auditioning for, not even the people in the reception of the place that I was going to. So I had to give them a code name of 'Panic Moon'. It was fun but it was actually an anagram for 'companion' which is quite clever.