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Karen Gillan

Acting Born Nov 28, 1987 Inverness, Scotland, UK 115 credits

Biography

Karen Sheila Gillan is a Scottish actress and filmmaker born on November 28, 1987, in Inverness, Scotland. She is the daughter of Marie Paterson and John Gillan, a singer and recording artist. Gillan developed an interest in acting during her youth, participating in various theatre groups and productions. She has established a career as a versatile performer, gaining professional recognition for her work in British film and television before transitioning to roles in Hollywood. Known for her contributions to science fiction, action, and independent cinema, she maintains a significant presence in the entertainment industry as both an actress and a filmmaker.

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Career

Career overview

Gillan first gained widespread recognition for her role as Amy Pond, a primary companion to the Eleventh Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who, appearing in the show from 2010 to 2013. Her early film credits include the 2010 thriller Outcast and the 2013 romantic comedy Not Another Happy Ending. During this period, she also performed on the British stage, appearing in John Osborne's play Inadmissible Evidence in 2011.

Following her success in British television, Gillan transitioned to Hollywood, where she starred in the 2013 horror film Oculus and played the lead role in the ABC sitcom Selfie in 2014. She achieved international stardom for her portrayal of the character Nebula, a role she performed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe between 2014 and 2023. Throughout her career, she has been noted for her work in various genres, including action and independent film, and has expanded her professional scope to include directing and screenwriting.

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Known for

Film

Over Your Dead Body

2026
Film

Jumanji: Open World

as Ruby Roundhouse
Film

The Life of Chuck

as Felicia Gordon
Film

Sleeping Dogs

as Laura Baines / Elizabeth Westlake
Film

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

as Nebula
Film

Thor: Love and Thunder

as Nebula
Film

X

as Radio Steak Seller (voice) (uncredited)
Film

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

as Nebula
Film

Dual

as Sarah

What If...?

as Nebula (voice)

Marvel Studios Legends

as Nebula (archive footage) (uncredited)
Film

Gunpowder Milkshake

as Sam

Frequent co-stars

Dave Bautista 8 shared titles
Zoe Saldaña 6 shared titles
Chris Pratt 6 shared titles
Bradley Cooper 6 shared titles
Vin Diesel 5 shared titles
Sean Gunn 5 shared titles
Chris Hemsworth 4 shared titles
Pom Klementieff 4 shared titles
Michael Rooker 4 shared titles
Matt Smith 3 shared titles

Career timeline

Over Your Dead Body · Co-ProducerJumanji: Open World
The Life of Chuck
Sleeping DogsLate BloomersDouglas Is CancelledDoctor Who at the Proms
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Thor: Love and ThunderXThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday SpecialDualThe Bubble
Last MealsWhat If...?Marvel Studios LegendsCallsGunpowder Milkshake
The Call of the WildThe HoardingThe Hoarding · WriterThe Hoarding · Director
The Kelly Clarkson ShowAvengers: EndgameJumanji: The Next LevelA Little Late with Lilly SinghSpies in Disguise
Avengers: Infinity WarAlex & the ListThe Party's Just BeginningThe Party's Just Beginning · DirectorThe Party's Just Beginning · Screenplay
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2Jumanji: Welcome to the JungleThe CircleTalking with Chris HardwickHeroes Manufactured
In a Valley of Violence
The Big ShortWarning Labels7 Days in HellConventionalConventional · Writer
Guardians of the GalaxySelfieThe Real History of Science FictionOculusBound for Greatness
Doctor Who: The Time of the DoctorNot Another Happy EndingDoctor Who: Clara and the TARDISDoctor Who ExplainedEmo Dad
Comedy Bang! Bang!A Touch of ClothWe'll Take ManhattanDoctor Who: Pond LifePond Life
NTSF:SD:SUV::Doctor Who: The Doctor, the Widow and the WardrobeDoctor Who: Let’s Kill Hitler PrequelDoctor Who: The Rebel Flesh & The Almost People
OutcastDoctor Who: A Christmas CarolDoctor Who at the PromsDoctor Who: Meanwhile in the TARDIS: Part 2Doctor Who: Meanwhile in the TARDIS: Part 1
Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenThe Well
The Kevin Bishop ShowHarley StreetHarley StreetNew Town Killers
The Graham Norton Show
The One Show
Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who Confidential
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Rebus
The SimpsonsThe Simpsons

Full filmography

  • Over Your Dead Body (2026) Co-Producer
  • Jumanji: Open World (2026) as Ruby Roundhouse
  • The Life of Chuck (2025) as Felicia Gordon
  • Sleeping Dogs (2024) as Laura Baines / Elizabeth Westlake
  • Late Bloomers (2024) as Louise
  • Douglas Is Cancelled (2024) as Madeline
  • Doctor Who at the Proms (2024) as Amy Pond (archive footage)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) as Nebula
  • Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) as Self - 'Nebula'
  • Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) as Nebula
  • X (2022) as Radio Steak Seller (voice) (uncredited)
  • The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) as Nebula
  • Dual (2022) as Sarah
  • The Bubble (2022) as Carol Cobb
  • How Did We Get Here? (2022) as Self (archive footage)
  • Next Exit (2022) as Dr. Stevensen
  • Last Meals (2021) as Self
  • What If...? (2021) as Nebula (voice)
  • Marvel Studios Legends (2021) as Nebula (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Calls (2021) as Sara (voice)
  • Gunpowder Milkshake (2021) as Sam
  • The Call of the Wild (2020) as Mercedes
  • The Hoarding (2020) as Hope
  • The Hoarding (2020) Writer
  • The Hoarding (2020) Director
  • The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
  • Avengers: Endgame (2019) as Nebula
  • Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) as Ruby Roundhouse
  • A Little Late with Lilly Singh (2019) as Self
  • Spies in Disguise (2019) as Eyes (voice)
  • Stuber (2019) as Sara Morris
  • Celebrating Marvel's Stan Lee (2019) as Self
  • All Creatures Here Below (2019) as Ruby
  • Eureka! (2019) as Chloe
  • Avengers: Infinity War (2018) as Nebula
  • Alex & the List (2018) as Lily
  • The Party's Just Beginning (2018) as Luisaidh
  • The Party's Just Beginning (2018) Director
  • The Party's Just Beginning (2018) Screenplay
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) as Nebula
  • Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) as Ruby Roundhouse
  • The Circle (2017) as Annie Allerton
  • Talking with Chris Hardwick (2017) as Self
  • Heroes Manufactured (2017) as Self (archive footage)
  • In a Valley of Violence (2016) as Ellen
  • The Big Short (2015) as Evie
  • Warning Labels (2015) as Mindy
  • 7 Days in Hell (2015) as Lily Allsworth
  • Conventional (2015) as Rachel Milligan
  • Conventional (2015) Writer
  • Conventional (2015) Director
  • Fun Size Horror: Volume Two (2015) as Rachel Milligan (segment 'Conventional')
  • Fun Size Horror: Volume Two (2015) Director
  • Fun Size Horror: Volume Two (2015) Writer
  • Coward (2015) Executive Producer
  • Coward (2015) Director
  • Coward (2015) Writer
  • Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) as Nebula
  • Selfie (2014) as Eliza Dooley
  • The Real History of Science Fiction (2014) as Self
  • Oculus (2014) as Kaylie Russell
  • Bound for Greatness (2014) as Maeve MacDonough
  • Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor (2013) as Amy Pond
  • Not Another Happy Ending (2013) as Jane Lockhart
  • Doctor Who: Clara and the TARDIS (2013) as Amy Pond (archive footage)
  • Doctor Who Explained (2013) as Self
  • Emo Dad (2013) as Jessica
  • Doctor Who: Farewell to Matt Smith (2013)
  • Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor (2013) as Amy Pond (archive footage)
  • Doctor Who Live: The Afterparty (2013) as Self
  • Comedy Bang! Bang! (2012) as Self
  • A Touch of Cloth (2012) as Kerry Newblood
  • We'll Take Manhattan (2012) as Jean Shrimpton
  • Doctor Who: Pond Life (2012) as Amy Pond
  • Pond Life (2012) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who - Night and the Doctor: Bad Night (2012) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who: Good as Gold (2012) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who - Night and the Doctor: Good Night (2012) as Amy Pond
  • NTSF:SD:SUV:: (2011) as Daisy
  • Doctor Who: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (2011) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who: Let’s Kill Hitler Prequel (2011) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who: The Rebel Flesh & The Almost People (2011) as Amy Pond
  • Outcast (2010) as Ally
  • Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol (2010) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who at the Proms (2010) as Self - Host
  • Doctor Who: Meanwhile in the TARDIS: Part 2 (2010) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who: Meanwhile in the TARDIS: Part 1 (2010) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who: The Hungry Earth & Cold Blood (2010) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who: The Time of Angels & Flesh and Stone (2010) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who: The Pandorica Opens & The Big Bang (2010) as Amy Pond
  • Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
  • The Well (2009) as Coll
  • The Kevin Bishop Show (2008)
  • Harley Street (2008) as Holly
  • Harley Street (2008)
  • New Town Killers (2008) as Young Girl at Bus Station
  • The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
  • The One Show (2006) as Self
  • Doctor Who (2005) as Amy Pond
  • Doctor Who (2005) as Soothsayer
  • Doctor Who Confidential (2005) as Self
  • Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
  • Rebus (2000) as Terry Cotter
  • The Simpsons (1989) as Maisie (voice)
  • The Simpsons (1989) as Maisie MacWeldon (voice)
  • Highlander as Heather MacLeod
  • Rhona Who Lives by the River as Rhona #3
  • Rhona Who Lives by the River Executive Producer
  • Let's Have Kids! as Emma
  • Blasphemous
  • Blasphemous Producer
  • Gunpowder Milkshake 2 as Sam
  • Fools as Mary Tudor
  • Cinnamon & Gunpowder as Mad Hannah Mabbot
  • Doctor Who: The Impossible Astronaut & Day of the Moon as Amy Pond