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.
9. Karen Gillan on...her modeling career
"I know what it's like to be a model and go to castings where some people like what they see and others look at you with distaste. I never cared about modeling. As a model, you're powerless." Photo: Jon Kopaloff
10. Karen Gillan on...her fist visit to an expensive London restaurant
"I went to Floridita on Wardour Street when I was 18. All I could afford was pumpkin soup and a glass of champagne, but it was worth it." Photo: Amy Sussman
11. Karen Gillan on...acting
"Acting is all about finding the truth within whatever world you're in...The last thing you want to do when you are about to film a scene is think, 'Oh my God, so many people are going to watch this.'" Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez
12. Karen Gillan on...her fashion sense
"My own fashion sense has been influenced by 'We'll Take Manhattan.' It's gotten a little better." Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer