She was once the Time Lord’s trusty assistant, who delighted fans with her quirky charm and model looks.
But for the past 12 months Karen has been forging out a new career – as a bonafide movie star.
And as she gears up to make her big screen debut, the 25-year-old has posed for a series of stunning images in and around Cannes, showing her transformation from supporting actress to leading lady.
With a blunt fringe cut and her long famous red locks loose the star showed off her natural beauty in the images.
Wearing a simple jumper and skirt the actress posed in a variety of places around Cannes such as on a dock, on a sun lounger and also on a carousal.
Looking whimsical and at times moody, with sixties style eyeliner, the shoot is the perfect way to showcase her A-list looks.
In the last year the actress – who originates from Inverness, Scotland – has relocated to Hollywood and shot a feature film – the US supernatural thriller, Oculus
She also has British romantic comedy Not Another Happy Ending under her belt, which she was thought to be promoting the year before in Cannes.
While it may feel like a long time coming, it still looks set to help propel Karen into the spotlight.
Not Another Happy Ending will premiere in June at the 67th Edinburgh Film Festival, and Karen is tipped to travel to the capital to make her red carpet debut as a leading lady.
In the film she plays a writer called Jane Lockhart who is blocked on her second novel, after achieving huge success with her first.
Shot in Glasgow late last year, the film also stars Stanley Weber (Thérèse Desqueyroux, Borgia), BAFTA-nominee Iain De Caestecker (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Filth, Young James Herriot), Kate Dickie (Prometheus, Games of Thrones) and Freya Mavor (Skins).
Talking about how she came to play Jane Lockhart, Karen explained: ‘The film came about when my director John McKay, back when I was working on television for We’ll Take Manhattan’ said, ‘You’re really good at falling over, you should read this script,’ and gave me Not Another Happy Ending.
‘I suppose I am one of life’s naturally clumsy people, I don’t drop stuff all the time, or break things, but I’m just generally a bit flustered.’
She continued: ‘Playing the role really gave me the chance to immerse myself in the rom-com genre, and – before I played Jane – I enjoyed a crash course in the most romantic comedies in cinema history. ‘
The world premiere of Not Another Happy Ending will take place in Edinburgh on 30th June, as part of the 67th Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/NotAnotherHappyEnding
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Photoshoots and Sessions > Professional Shoots > 27
FORMER Doctor Who star Karen Gillan’s Elvis-mad dad has recorded his first album – after his daughter paid for it all.
Blues singer Raymond Gillan has recorded his first album, Deep Down Inside, and released it on iTunes.
And his delighted daughter couldn’t wait to plug its nine songs to her Twitter followers.
She tweeted: “PAPA MADE AN ALBUM. Get into it. It’s really good. The magic lies in hard work.”
Karen, who quit last year after two years as Doctor Who’s assistant Amy Pond, paid for the album to be made out of her own pocket.
Day care centre manager Raymond, using his middle name John, is a regular on the pub circuit in the actress’s home city of Inverness.
Last September, she revealed her plan, saying: “I’m paying for my dad to have an album made. He’s a singer, not professional, he just loves doing it.
“I got it as a Father’s Day present. I’m thinking of doing a duet with him but he’s far better than me.”
Deep Down Inside’s songs include Cry Me a River, Summertime and Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, a song dating from the era of slavery that was later recorded by Van Morrison.
Despite his love of Elvis, which he has passed on to his only child, Raymond didn’t cover The King’s classics.
Yesterday, there was just one review on iTunes, a five-star rating with the message: “Five stars for Kazza’s papa.”
Karen, who now lives in Los Angeles, is due to start shooting her third film, a romantic comedy called The List.
The 25-year-old actress will also be seen in Not Another Happy Ending, which was shot in Glasgow and will premiere in Edinburgh next month.
She recently told expat Scot Craig Ferguson’s chat show that she’s looking for an American boyfriend with “nice teeth”.
The album is available both on iTunes, and via Amazon to download.
As revealed by us earlier in the week!!
Karen Gillan is set to star in indie flick The List.
The Doctor Who actress is joining Patrick Fugit in the romantic comedy drama, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Directed by Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo writer Harris Goldberg, The List is about a man who ticks off a list of self improvements to win over the woman he loves.
We Bought A Zoo actor Patrick stars as the lead character, and he and Karen will also be joined by House’s Jennifer Morrison.
Work on The List, which is privately financed, will start later this month.
Karen was the Doctor’s assistant from 2008 to 2012, starring with David Tennant and then Matt Smith.
She has another film out later this year, comedy Not Another Happy Ending, and in 2014 can be seen in horror movie Oculus.
Thanks For Sharing actor Patrick appears this year in political drama TV series Reckless.
He has recently worked on the upcoming The Thrill Is On, a film about the friendship between BB King and Michael Zanetis, in which he plays Zanetis.
Jennifer stars in fantasy TV series Once Upon A Time.
“THE LIST” PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BEGINS MAY 22
Los Angeles, CA May 2 2013 — GOOSE’S LIST LLC has announced that it is in production on the feature. The spec is written by Harris Goldberg & Kristen D’Alessio. The film will be financed by Goose’s List LLC. Elizabeth Phelps and Mason Phelps will executive produce. Kristen D’Alessio is producing. Harris Goldberg is directing.
Production begins in Los Angeles May 22.
THE LIST is a DRAMATIC, ROMANTIC COMEDY about a young man who undergoes the task of fulfilling a list to secure his soul mate and finds the journey life changing in ways he never bargained for.PATRICK FUGIT, (ALMOST FAMOUS), stars with JENNIFER MORRISON, (WARRIOR), and KAREN GILLAN, (DR. WHO).
“THE LIST is a film that perfectly compliments Goldberg and D’Alessio’s new production shingle to create very human stories that resonate with universal appeal,” says exec-producer, Elizabeth Phelps.
The film is cast by JC CANTU and RISING PHOENIX CASTING.
It’s represented by attorney, Irwin Rappaport.
Goldberg and D’Alessio have their next two films financed through the same equity partner. In addition, they’re in development on a number of television projects.
Information emailed by David Garrett.
EIFF are very HAPPY to close the 2013 Festival with world premiere of NOT ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is proud to announce NOT ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING starring Karen Gillan and Stanley Weber (alongside Amy Manson, Iain de Caestecker, Kate Dickie, Freya Mavor, Gary Lewis and Henry Ian Cusick), as the Closing Night film of the 67th edition of the Festival.
The red carpet will be rolled out at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on 30th June when the stars and filmmakers attend the World Premiere of this indie romantic comedy set in Glasgow.
Chris Fujiwara, EIFF Artistic Director, said: “Speaking as somebody who, before coming to Scotland, knew Scotland partly through its portrayal in films, I’m really excited to find in NOT ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING a fresh, interesting, and almost idyllic take on the cultural vibrancy of Scottish city life. The film also shows how well the time-honoured genre of romantic comedy can work in the contemporary Scottish context. The film will add just the right note of celebration with which to close our festival this year.”
NOT ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING is directed by John McKay (Crush, We’ll Take Manhattan), is produced by Claire Mundell (Crying With Laughter, Weekend) of Synchronicity Films, co-produced by Wendy Griffin (Wasted) and written by David Solomons (The Great Ghost Rescue, Five Children and It).
When struggling, maverick publisher Tomas Duval discovers his only successful author Jane Lockhart is blocked he knows he has to unblock her or he’s finished – with her newfound success, she’s become too damn happy and she can’t write when she’s happy. The only trouble is, the worse he makes her feel, the more he realises he is in love with her…
Producer Claire Mundell said: “We’re thrilled and excited to bring our feel-good film to the Edinburgh Film Festival and honoured to be the Closing Night film. Living and working in Scotland, we wanted to create something representative of the bustling creativity and wonderful, witty sense of humour we see around us. The result is NOT ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING; a film that’s unashamedly upbeat, romantic and funny. We want audiences to be charmed and leave the cinema feeling great, so it’s fitting that our film will be a very happy finale to what will be an exceptional year at the Festival.”
NOT ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING is presented by British Film Company and Creative Scotland in association with BBC Scotland and is a Synchronicity Films Production. Executive Producers are Steve Milne, Robbie Allen, Ewan Angus and Christian Eisenbeiss. Additional funders include Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Glasgow Film Office and Southwest Scotland Screen. International sales by LevelK. Post-production by the award winning Molinare.
For continuing information, particularly regarding ticket sales for the Festival, don’t forget to follow and like Not Another Happy Ending’s Twitter and Facebook pages!
Many people have called Karen Gillan “drop-dead gorgeous,” but I hardly think they meant it quite like this. The former Doctor Who companion submitted to a zombie makeover for a special Walking Dead-inspired installment of BBC AMERICA’s The Nerdist, hosted by The Talking Dead‘s Chris Hardwick. The result is a series of z’Ombéal skin care ads that will be featured in this Saturday’s (April 6) episode, airing 10/9c on BBC AMERICA.
Karen Gillan, covered in lesions, with a mouth full of discolored, decaying teeth? Yep, still hot.
Some great news – Karen has a new project in the works;
Production is now underway in Los Angeles and London for season three of NTSF:SD:SUV::, a live-action comedy series coming to Adult Swim this July. Karen Gillan joins Star-Studded comedic cast. The show stars Paul Scheer (The League, Human Giant), Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager), BranDon Johnson (Get Him to the Greek), June Diane Raphael (Burning Love), Rob Riggle (The Daily Show), Martin Starr (Freaks & Geeks), Peter Serafinowicz (Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace), and welcomes Karen Gillan (Dr. Who) to the cast this season.
“I’m really excited to be quoted in this article,” said executive producer and star Paul Scheer.
Terrorism is back and better than ever! Join Special Agent Trent Hauser and his elite counter-terrorist unit, the NTSF:SD:SUV:: (National Terrorist Strike Force: San Diego: Sport Utility Vehicle::) for a third season of furious screaming, pregnant pauses, and even more civilian casualties than last season! This year, Trent and his team will employ some of the riskiest methods they’ve ever attempted in order to bring down San Diegan terrorist scum, including surgically swapping faces with each other, kidnapping an alien, faking their own deaths, getting into the viral video biz, unfreezing a former 1960′s radical, boarding Comic-Con Air, and heading into the dangerous British District of San Diego (which will be shot in the UK!) for a sweeping NTSF:SD:SUV:: two-part epic. Plus, the return of THE TIME ANGELS!
“Adult Swim continues to exercise sound judgment in programming NTSF:SD:SUV:: for a third season. If this decision were on Facebook, I would click ‘Like’,” said executive producer Jonathan Stern.
NTSF:SD:SUV:: is produced by Abominable Pictures, Inc. Paul Scheer and Jonathan Stern (Burning Love, Childrens Hospital) are executive producers. Season 3 of NTSF:SD:SUV:: premieres in July on Adult Swim.
Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT), Adult Swim is basic cable’s #1 network with persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 99 million U.S. homes.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
And today, the producer Paul Scheer tweeted a production picture featuring Karen!
We can’t wait to see this!
Steven Moffat has appeared to rule out a Doctor Who return for the characters Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill).
The BBC sci-fi drama’s showrunner is quoted by Blogtor Who as saying that he has “no plans” to bring the two companions back.
“You could never eliminate the possibility of dream sequences and flashbacks,” Moffat acknowledged. “But will the Doctor see them again? No.”
Moffat added that he was keen to give married couple Amy and Rory a “proper ending” when he penned their final episode, 2012′s ‘The Angels Take Manhattan’.
“Bringing back things just gives you sequel-itis,” he said. “Just end it and get out. Heaven knows if they’ll appear in some form of flashback – I have no plans to do that I have to say – but the story of Amy and The Doctor is definitively over.”
Arthur Darvill previously told Digital Spy that he would “never say never” to reprising the role of Rory if he was asked back.
“I’m very loyal to Doctor Who – I saw Steven Moffat recently and I think he’s brilliant,” said the actor. “He’s one of those people that if he ever asked me to do anything, I’d do it.”
Doctor Who returns to BBC One and BBC America on Saturday, March 30 with ‘The Bells of St John’, written by Steven Moffat.
The Scots actress, who left the hit BBC show earlier this year, took time out to attend a prize-giving ceremony at Raigmore Hospital to celebrate the achievements of maternity staff.
When they throw their heads back in laughter, there is no doubting the family resemblance.
And when Karen Gillan and her mum get together, there are smiles all round.
The first picture of the star and her mum shows Marie has forgiven Karen for leaving her favourite show – Doctor Who.
But just in case, the 25-year-old is home for Christmas and joined her mum at a prize-giving ceremony for a maternity unit in her home city of Inverness.
Back in September, Karen made her last appearance as The Doctor’s assistant Amy Pond after two-and-a-half years and admitted: “My mum was devastated. She was like, ‘No, Karen, I don’t want you to leave’.”
Her mother is such a fan of the show that Karen was too scared to tell her she’d landed the part as Matt Smith’s sidekick in case Marie blabbed.
When she knew it was safe, she went home in person to tell Marie and dad Raymond. Clearly they are a close family.
Karen is home for Christmas and joked that she didn’t really have a choice.
She said: “Mum would kill me if I didn’t come home for Christmas every year.”
But she won’t be hanging round with her parents all the time over the festivities, with fun-loving Karen taking some time out to meet up with her old pals for Hogmanay.
She said: “I will be doing all the partying in all the Inverness nightspots and will probably take in New Year at the free Hogmanay event in the city. All my closest friends from Charleston Academy are here in Inverness and I love our get-togethers.”
Yesterday was strictly a mum and daughter event though at a celebration of the achievements of maternity staff at the city’s Raigmore Hospital.
While single Karen, who is between homes having spent some time in America after her Doctor Who exit, isn’t in a rush to have a family she was certainly keen to support the work of the staff and promote breastfeeding at the event.
She said: “I knew very little about the benefits of breastfeeding until now.
“But I am definitely a convert. I have no plans to start a family – I have to find a boyfriend first.
“It is too early for me to settle down but when I do get broody, I will be following the breast is best advice. I have learned so much here, it has been great research if I have to audition for a nursing or midwife role in the future.”
The actress was invited to present a UNICEF Baby Friendly Award to NHS Highland maternity staff for the education and support they give breastfeeding mothers.
Karen reckons she has breastfeeding to thank for being a healthy baby. And despite her famously slender figure, she was a bouncing baby.
She laughted: “I was enormous, nothing like I am now. It’s breastfeeding for me.”
So with family clearly off the agenda for now, it is back to work after the holidays for Karen.
After she played Amy Pond in Doctor Who, many wondered what Karen Gillan would do next. Eddie Harrison speaks to the Inverness actor about making the leap to the big screen with her first lead role in Glasgow-set film Not Another Happy Ending
Even if you’ve been hiding behind your couch for the last few years, (and viewers of Doctor Who are well known for doing exactly that), Karen Gillan needs little introduction. Playing Amy Pond opposite Matt Smith in the BBC’s highest-rating drama, the Inverness girl has become a genuine household name. Now making the transition from television to feature films, she spent part of the summer of 2012 shooting Not Another Happy Ending, a romantic comedy developed by Scottish company Synchronicity Films.
‘Actually, this film came about because my director John McKay, back when I was working on television for We’ll Take Manhattan,’ said, “You’re really good at falling over, you should read this script,” and gave me Not Another Happy Ending. I suppose I am one of life’s naturally clumsy people, I don’t drop stuff all the time, or break things, but I’m just generally a bit flustered.’
In Not Another Happy Ending, Gillan plays Jane Lockhart, an author who has hit writer’s block after the success of her first novel.
‘The problem is she can only write when she’s a bit miserable, and she’s now a huge success,’ says Gillan. ‘So her publisher Tom [Stanley Webber] goes on this secret mission to make her life a misery, and it’s all about how their relationship develops.’
Playing the role gave Gillan the chance to immerse herself in the rom-com genre, and enjoy a crash course in the most romantic comedies in cinema history.
‘I watched in chronological order the greatest rom-coms of all time, starting with His Girl Friday, then The Apartment, which is amazing, and then I was naughty because I watched a later one because I couldn’t wait to see Manhattan, then back to Annie Hall and then When Harry Met Sally… what I took from seeing them all was just how important the chemistry is between the two lead actors.’
With Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder, Woody Allen and Rob Reiner setting the bar high in terms of getting chemistry from their leads, Gillan’s viewing left her plenty to ponder, not least how to create the right kind of connection with her leading man.
‘How do you create chemistry? If only I knew that! Some people say it’s a natural thing that you have with someone, and maybe it is to do with that, but I think you can work on it. We’ve been so lucky with Stanley Webber, because he’s so spontaneous and inventive, so I have no idea what he’s going to do next.
‘I’m used to shooting at this momentum and pace from working on Doctor Who, so coming onto this film with the busy timeline we have feels quite natural. I was allowed to jump on the sofa if I wanted to, so I just did, because it just felt right in the moment. There’s lots of improvisation in the film, we spoke about it with the director, and came to the conclusion that it was better when it was just free, and things could just pop out.’
Gillan’s next project takes her to Los Angeles for a horror drama Oculus, but she’s setting her sights even higher: she’d like to appear in darker, more dramatic films, and says her dream is to work with the Austrian director of The White Ribbon and Hidden, Michael Haneke, whose 2001 film The Piano Teacher is Gillan’s own favourite film. But for now, she’s keen to keep developing her craft, and Not Another Happy Ending gives her the chance to expand her repertoire with a coveted leading role.
‘Acting is all about finding the truth within whatever world you’re in,’ she says. ‘You just have to keep it truthful, rather than all this heightened acting. These are things that I’ve learned from watching the episodes of Doctor Who, just learning how to pitch a scene, so that you felt that you were doing enough to give the audience what they want at that moment.
‘I watched all the episodes as they were airing. At first, when I saw myself, I really did cringe, but that’s how you learn and get better. Now, I feel like I understand acting so much more, I’ve learned so much from working on Doctor Who and that’s really coming into play on Not Another Happy Ending.’
Not Another Happy Ending is due for release in early 2013.
2013 | Not Another Happy Ending
2014 | Oculus
2013 | A Touch of Cloth
2013 | NTSF:SD:SUV::
