Career Timeline of Karen Gillan: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Karen Gillan built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Karen Gillan is a Scottish actress and filmmaker best known for portraying Amy Pond in Doctor Who (2010–2013). She gained recognition in British film and television, also appearing in films like Outcast (2010) and Not Another Happy Ending (2013). She also performed on stage in John Osborne's play Inadmissible Evidence (2011).
2007: London Fashion Week
In 2007, Karen Gillan worked as a model and premiered at London Fashion Week.
2008: Channel 4 Television Film
In 2008, Karen Gillan starred in the Channel 4 television film Stacked.
May 2009: Doctor Who Companion
In May 2009, Karen Gillan was cast as Amy Pond, companion to the Eleventh Doctor in Doctor Who.
2010: Doctor Who Role
In 2010, Karen Gillan gained recognition for portraying Amy Pond, a main companion to the Eleventh Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who. She also appeared in the thriller Outcast.
August 2011: Scottish Romantic Comedy
In August 2011, it was announced that Karen Gillan would star in an indie Scottish romantic comedy called Not Another Happy Ending.
October 2011: Theatre Appearance
In October 2011, Karen Gillan made her first theatre appearance playing the role of Shirley in John Osborne's play Inadmissible Evidence at the Donmar Warehouse.
2011: Sixth Series of Doctor Who
In 2011, Karen Gillan appeared in the sixth series of Doctor Who as Amy Pond.
2011: Stage Debut
In 2011, Karen Gillan appeared on stage in John Osborne's play Inadmissible Evidence.
July 2012: Filming of 'Not Another Happy Ending'
In July 2012, Karen Gillan filmed for Not Another Happy Ending.
2012: Seventh Series of Doctor Who
In 2012, Karen Gillan appeared in the first five episodes of the seventh series of Doctor Who. Her character Amy Pond and Rory Williams left the series.
2012: Television Film
In 2012, Karen Gillan appeared in the television film We'll Take Manhattan playing the part of supermodel Jean Shrimpton.
May 2013: Cast as Nebula
In May 2013, Karen Gillan was cast as Nebula in the Marvel superhero science fiction film Guardians of the Galaxy and shaved her head for the role.
June 2013: Premiere of 'Not Another Happy Ending'
In June 2013, the film Not Another Happy Ending premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
November 2013: Broadway Appearance
In November 2013, Karen Gillan appeared on Broadway in a play called Time to Act, as part of "The 24 Hour Plays on Broadway."
2013: Film Roles
In 2013, Karen Gillan played roles in the romantic comedy Not Another Happy Ending. She also continued portraying Amy Pond in Doctor Who until 2013.
2013: Doctor Who Christmas Special
In 2013, Karen Gillan reprised her role as Amy Pond in the Doctor Who Christmas special "The Time of the Doctor."
2013: Transition to Hollywood
In 2013, Karen Gillan transitioned to Hollywood, starring in the horror film Oculus.
February 2014: Cast in Selfie
In February 2014, Karen Gillan was cast as the lead in Selfie, an American single-camera sitcom for ABC.
May 2014: In a Valley of Violence Casting
In May 2014, Karen Gillan was cast in the Western film In a Valley of Violence directed by Ti West.
August 2014: Guardians of the Galaxy Release
In August 2014, the Marvel superhero science fiction film Guardians of the Galaxy, in which Karen Gillan played Nebula, was released.
October 2014: Happy Idiot Music Video
On 3 October 2014, Karen Gillan appeared in TV on the Radio's "Happy Idiot" music video.
2014: Selfie Lead Role & MCU Debut
In 2014, Karen Gillan played the lead in the ABC rom-com sitcom Selfie and portrayed Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2014: Previous Work with Emily Kapnek
In 2014, Karen Gillan previously worked with Emily Kapnek on the sitcom series, Selfie.
2015: Short Film Debut and Awards
In 2015, Karen Gillan wrote and directed her first short film, Coward, and wrote, directed, and starred in another short film called Conventional. She also won the Best Female Newcomer award at the 20th Empire Awards for Guardians of the Galaxy and Oculus. Additionally, she was cast in an HBO pilot titled, The Devil You Know.
November 2016: Directorial Feature Film Announcement
On 2 November 2016, it was announced that Karen Gillan would write, direct and star in her directorial feature film debut with Burbank-based development and production company Mt. Hollywood Films' indie drama project titled Tupperware Party.
January 2017: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Avengers Filming
In January 2017, Karen Gillan reprised her role as Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and began filming Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
January 2017: Filming of Tupperware Party
In January 2017, filming began in Inverness for Karen Gillan's directorial feature film debut, Tupperware Party.
2017: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
In 2017, Karen Gillan played Ruby Roundhouse in the fantasy film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
January 2018: End of Avengers Filming
In January 2018, filming ended for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, in which Karen Gillan reprised her role as Nebula.
2018: Visited Mikeysline crisis support centre
In 2018, Karen Gillan visited the Mikeysline crisis support centre in Inverness after presenting her film The Party's Just Beginning and pledged to support the mental health charity.
2018: The Party's Just Beginning
In 2018, Karen Gillan wrote, directed, and starred in the drama film The Party's Just Beginning.
2019: Starring Roles
In 2019, Karen Gillan co-starred in the films Stuber and Spies in Disguise, and starred in All Creatures Here Below. She also reprised her role as Ruby Roundhouse in Jumanji: The Next Level.
2019: Jumanji: The Next Level
In 2019, Karen Gillan played Ruby Roundhouse in the fantasy film Jumanji: The Next Level.
2019: Avengers: Endgame Release
In 2019, Karen Gillan reprised her role as Nebula in Avengers: Endgame.
September 2020: Student selected for New York Fashion Week competition
In September 2020, the Inverness Courier reported that a student from Inverness was selected in a competition inspired by The Party's Just Beginning to go to New York Fashion Week, held by Mikeysline and Fashion Week Online, in a contest meant to create awareness for World Suicide Prevention Day.
2020: The Call of the Wild Film
In 2020, Karen Gillan appeared in the adventure drama The Call of the Wild, based on the Jack London novel.
2021: Rhona Who Lives by the River Series
In 2021, Disney Branded Television announced that Karen Gillan would star on the upcoming Disney Television Animation and 20th Television Animation series Rhona Who Lives by the River as the titular character. Karen Gillan would act as executive producer for the series alongside series creator Emily Kapnek and series composer Danny Elfman.
2021: Gunpowder Milkshake
In 2021, Karen Gillan starred in the comedy film Gunpowder Milkshake.
2022: Starring in Dual
In 2022, Karen Gillan starred in the sci-fi thriller Dual alongside Aaron Paul, where she played a double role and earned acclaim for her performance.
2023: Appearing in Late Bloomers and Filming Sleeping Dogs
In 2023, Karen Gillan appeared in Late Bloomers. Also in 2023, she began filming Sleeping Dogs in Australia with Russell Crowe
2023: Nebula in MCU
In 2023, Karen Gillan continued portraying Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
2023: Late Bloomers Film
In 2023, Karen Gillan starred in the coming-of-age film Late Bloomers.
June 2024: Douglas Is Cancelled Release
In June 2024, Douglas Is Cancelled was released and marked Gillan's return to British television. She received critical acclaim for her acting.
September 2024: The Life of Chuck Premiere
In September 2024, Karen Gillan appeared in The Life of Chuck, which premiered at TIFF.
2024: Douglas Is Cancelled Series
In 2024, Karen Gillan returned to British television with the series Douglas Is Cancelled.
2024: Donation to humanitarian relief in Gaza
In 2024, Karen Gillan was among British film and TV creatives who donated to an auction to crowdfund for humanitarian relief in Gaza.
Mentioned in this timeline
Home Box Office HBO is an American pay television service...
Gunpowder also known as black powder is the oldest known...
Christmas is an annual festival celebrated on December th commemorating...
The Call of the Wild by Jack London follows the...
Australia officially the Commonwealth of Australia encompasses the Australian mainland...
Music is a cultural universal involving the arrangement of sound...
Trending
36 minutes ago Tatum scores 20, Celtics win sparked by defensive play against Cavaliers.
36 minutes ago Nicole Kidman Addresses Keith Urban Divorce Rumors, Nashville Plans, and Relationship Status
37 minutes ago LeBron James Returns After Injury: Lakers' Star Back After Missing Three Games
2 hours ago Carlos Alcaraz Dominates Ruud, Advances to Indian Wells Quarterfinals, Sets New Record.
2 hours ago Cowboys bolster offensive line depth by signing Matt Hennessy in free agency.
2 hours ago Stephon Castle faces playoff test, emphasizes being a two-way player for Spurs.
Popular
Jesse Jackson is an American civil rights activist politician and...
Markwayne Mullin is an American politician and businessman serving as...
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
Corey Lewandowski is an American political operative lobbyist commentator and...
Ken Paxton is an American politician and lawyer serving as...
Victoria MacKenzie-Childs is a ceramic artist and co-founder with her...