Karen Gillan:
Working with Matt Smith on Doctor Who was amazing
Actress Karen
Gillan came to fame playing Amy Pond in Doctor Who. As she takes her final
TARDIS voyage, she admits the Weeping Angels scared the pants off her.
What can
people expect from the new series?
It’s the
biggest series so far in terms of the scale of the episodes. It’s five
movie-scale episodes, each is a stand-alone story but they lead to the
departure of the Ponds.
This is your
last series. Why did you decide to leave?
It was a
mutual decision. I had a lovely dinner with [writer] Steven Moffat and told him
when I thought would be a good time for me to leave. He told me what he was
doing story-wise and between us we decided I should go now.
When did you
finish filming?
Two months
ago. I’m still doing Doctor Who events so it doesn’t feel as though it’s over
yet. It won’t do until the last episode goes out. I’ll have some friends over
to watch it.
What leaving
presents did you get?
Me and Arthur
Darvill, who plays Rory Pond, got two huge pictures of ourselves looking like
we’re in a Next campaign. Everyone had signed them, which was nice. I’ve given
it to my mum. She loves all that stuff.
What are your
favourite memories of the show?
Working with
Matt Smith and Arthur was amazing. We’ve become such good friends. And running
away from monsters – you don’t get that doing a normal TV drama so I’m going to
miss that.
What are your
favourite monsters?
The Weeping
Angels. They’re the scariest. They tap into a really freaky psychological
thing.
What bits
won’t you miss?
It’s all been
so much fun I can’t really pick anything. It requires a lot of stamina at times
but I’ll miss it. The late-night shoots or when you’re shooting in a really
cold castle can be challenging but we all go through it together. The more
ridiculous it gets, the more fun it is.
How has your
life changed since you joined the show?
Everything’s
changed. The work is heavily scrutinised, you’re photographed in places where
you might not expect it. It was a bit of an adjustment to make. People tell you
but until it happens you’ve got no idea. I walked into it quite blindly. The pap
stuff goes in waves depending on if the show is on or not. Getting your picture
taken when you leave the house is always weird.
Have any of
the fans taken it too far?
Some of them
take it very seriously. I met one guy who said: ‘Hello, I’m River Song.’ I was
like: ‘OK, what do you mean?’ and he showed me his ID. He’d changed it by deed
poll. That was quite interesting. Then I met a guy who has a Doctor Who themed
house. Apparently he’s got an elevator that looks like the TARDIS.
What’s the
most unusual place you’ve been recognised?
In a casino
in Las Vegas. I was playing some craps, then this family of four started
screaming at me. They were saying: ‘Oh my god,’ and then the daughter started
crying.
Are you off
to Hollywood?
I don’t know
about that. I’m shooting in London at the moment, then I’m doing a film in
Alabama. It’s a horror film about a brother and sister. I’ll be doing it in an
American accent.
Who have you
learned the most from working with?
I learned so
much from Matt Smith in terms of inventiveness and being in the moment and
seeing where it takes you – that’s what I love most about acting now. We had a
director called Adam Smith who said I needed to set myself free. It felt like I
let everything go that was holding me back from being as good as I can be.
What are
people’s misconceptions of you?
People are
surprised I’m so down to earth when they meet me – I don’t know why. And maybe
they think I’m like Amy. I’m not at all feisty in reality. I don’t have that
attitude towards people and I’m quite flighty and disorganised.
What’s been
your most extravagant purchase?
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.
What else do
you want to do with your career?
More stage
work but really just good quality projects. I want to do things that interest
me. I want to write screenplays as well.
My favourite ever is The Piano Teacher and I loved Shame.
Who do you
want to work with?
I’ve already
worked with Olivia Colman on Doctor Who but I’d want to work with her again. I
really respect her as an actress.
DOCTOR WHO
vs. NERDIST - All Star Celebrity Bowling
Published on
Aug 28, 2012 by Nerdist
In an epic
battle across time and space,Team Nerdist challenged Doctor Who and his
companions to a competition for the ages. Their arena was an alien land filled
with unusual creatures (San Diego Comic-Con International) and the game was one
of the greatest of all time - BOWLING.
The Doctor
Who All Star Celebrity Bowling Special premières Friday, August 31st as part of
the Nerdist Channel's "Doctor Who-eekend". It's sure to be more fun
than an Adipose weight loss program!
