Scottish actress Karen Sheila Gillan was born on November 28, 1987. She became well-known for her work in British film and television, especially for her role as Amy Pond, the Eleventh Doctor’s major companion in the science fiction series Doctor Who (2010–2013), for which she garnered several nominations and accolades. Her early film appearances include Jane Lockhart in the romance comedy Not Another Happy Ending (2010) and Ally in the suspense thriller Outcast (2010). (2013). While living in Britain, she performed on stage, performing in John Osborne’s play Inadmissible Evidence. (2011).
Gillan made her Hollywood debut in the 2013 horror movie Oculus as Kaylie Russell, her first box office hit in the country. She next starred as the title character in the ABC comedy Selfie. (2014). She became famous all over the world for her portrayal of Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero movies Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and Thor (2022); she will return to the role in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 movie. (2023).
Her performances as Ruby Roundhouse in the action movies Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), Sam in the comedy movie Gunpowder Milkshake (2021), and her dual part in the sci-fi thriller movie Dual also received positive reviews. (2022).
In addition to nominations for the Saturn Award, Critics’ Choice Award, and British Academy Scotland Film Award, Gillan has won an Empire Award, a National Television Award, a Teen Choice Award, and other honours. She received praise from critics for her writing and directing work in the drama movie The Party’s Just Beginning (2018), which she also starred in. She is renowned for her advocacy and public persona, particularly with regard to suicide prevention.
Damon Wise of Deadline Hollywood lauded her “engaging and refreshingly vanity-free performance” for her role in the 2023 film Late Bloomers. She and Russell Crowe began filming Sleeping Dogs in Australia in 2023 as well.
