Karen Gillan first found fame as Amy Pond, the companion to Matt Smith’s 11th Doctor Who in the hugely popular BBC science fiction series, from 2010-2013.
Early film roles in Outcast and Not Another Happy Ending followed, along with her Broadway stage debut in Time to Act in 2013.
That same year saw her break Hollywood in horror film Oculus, before roles in a string of huge blockbusters made her one of the world’s highest grossing actors.
She’s now a major international star after playing Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and Thor: Love and Thunder.
Gillan has also appeared alongside Jack Black, The Rock and Kevin Hart in two Jumanji movies, as well as playing lead roles in Gunpowder Milkshake and Dual.
In 2018 she successfully turned to writing and directing, with the critically-acclaimed drama The Party’s Just Beginning.
Her accolades include an Empire Award, a National Television Award, a Teen Choice Award, BAFTA nominations, a Critics' Choice Award and a Saturn Award.
Here are 13 fun and interesting things she’s had to say in interviews.
5. Karen Gillan on...being an only child
"I had a lot of alone time with no brothers or sisters running around, or anything. I would just sit and imagine things, all the time." Photo: Amy Sussman
6. Karen Gillan on...her acting hero
"I want to be like Robin Williams, really. It's all the different characters he does, all the different voices." Photo: Pascal Le Segretain
7. Karen Gillan on...being an awkward child
"I was one of those weird children that just couldn't talk to people, so I kind of had to make myself be not like that because I knew it was going to hinder me." Photo: Andreas Rentz
8. Karen Gillan on...leaving Doctor Who
"Being in 'Doctor Who' has been so amazing. I don't think I will ever have a job quite so fun ever again. I feel sad because I am going to leave, but with any story, it has to come to an end." Photo: Eamonn M. McCormack