Karen Gillan, a former pupil of Charleston Academy, will star alongside new Time Lord Matt Smith, when smash hit drama Dr Who returns to BBC1 in spring next year.

The 21-year-old Highland lass beat off tough competition and has managed to bag one of the hottest roles on British TV

But Karen’s reaction to playing the part of The Doctor’s assistant will have to wait – the BBC are keeping her under wraps for now, with any exclusive interviews banned until nearer its release.

But that’s done little to dull the wave of excitement from locals keen to give the new Dr Who sensation their support.

Hundreds of messages wishing Karen well were sent out almost immediately when the news broke on Friday via online forum Twitter – including various posts keen to hear what accent Karen will be using on screen.

And there are already six appreciation groups set up for her on Facebook, with hundreds of people already opting to become a fan of the young actress.

One well-wisher included the redhead’s former head teacher, Calum MacSween at Charleston Academy, who wasn’t surprised at her success in landing the role.

He said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Karen and wish her every success in the role. Staff saw her potential when she played the part of Liesl in The Sound Of Music in 2003. She is a girl of many talents – acting, singing, dancing and modelling. We are delighted that she has this fantastic opportunity.”

Also celebrating Karen’s success are staff and pupils at TFX theatre school based in Inverness, where the young actress trained for nearly three years.

Principal Sally Coppen said: “Everyone at TFX is absolutely delighted for Karen. It is a tremendous role to get and will hopefully be the springboard for a long and successful career in the industry.”

The Highland News first met the rising star, whose father John works in the Corbett Centre in Inverness, in 2008 when she made her debut in Dr Who – albeit in a more modest role.

Karen was cast as a soothsayer in last year’s episode The Fires Of Pompeii and spoke to the HN about her excitement then.

“It was so much fun playing a villain – you can really go over the top,” she said.

Karen Gillian, who'll be taking of the role of The Doctor's assistant when Matt Smith takes over the role next year.

Dressed in a dramatic red cloak and her face painted white, her school friends may have had trouble recognising her the first time round – something which is not likely to be a problem next year when the series is aired.

According to Dr Who’s producers, Karen was the natural choice for the role.

Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, said: “We saw some amazing actresses for this part, but when Karen came through the door the game was up. Funny, and clever and gorgeous and sexy. Or Scottish, which is the quick way of saying it.

“A generation of little girls will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too.”

Karen, who now lives in London, first appeared on TV three years ago. She left her drama course at the Italia Conti Stage School early for the chance to appear as a teen gone off the rails in ITV detective series Rebus alongside Ken Stott.

Since then, Karen’s also appeared in The Kevin Bishop Show and last year’s offbeat Channel 4 comedy drama Stacked.

She’s already filmed a role for the upcoming movie New Town Killers, where she’s appearing alongside Dougray Scott. In the film, due out in the next few weeks, she plays “Young Girl In Bus Station”.

Her current project is Outcast, a British horror film starring James Nesbitt that’s currently shooting in Edinburgh. It’s been written and directed by Colm McCarthy, who’s previously helmed episodes of TV shows Hunter, Spooks, Hustle and Murphy’s Law. Karen is playing Ally in the film, not believed to be one of the major roles.

Far from being a stranger to the spotlight, Karen’s also done her fair share of modelling shoots.

She appeared at London Fashion Week in 2007 for designer Allegra Hicks’ autumn/winter catwalk show.

But she revealed to the HN that modelling was more a hobby than a career.

Karen’s also performed on stage several times, something she says she’s keen to go back to at some point.

j.macculloch@highland-news.co.uk

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---