---
name: "Karen Gillan"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/karen-gillan"
fi1m_id: "karen-gillan"
imdb_id: "nm2394794"
tmdb_id: 543261
wikidata_id: "Q231237"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "28 November 1987"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 14
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-22T03:18:12.163250+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Karen Gillan

## Identity

Karen Gillan

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/karen-gillan
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** karen-gillan
- **IMDb ID:** nm2394794
- **TMDB ID:** 543261
- **Wikidata ID:** Q231237
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Gillan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q231237, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2394794/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/543261

Actor. Born 28 November 1987 in Inverness, Scotland, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 28 November 1987, Inverness, Scotland, UK
- **Active:** 2005–present
- **Also known as:** Karen Sheila Gillan
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 14: 13 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Chris Pratt](https://film.one/person/chris-pratt.md), [Dave Bautista](https://film.one/person/dave-bautista.md), [Dwayne Johnson](https://film.one/person/dwayne-johnson.md), [Jack Black](https://film.one/person/jack-black.md), [Jake Kasdan](https://film.one/person/jake-kasdan.md), [James Gunn](https://film.one/person/james-gunn.md), [Jeff Pinkner](https://film.one/person/jeff-pinkner.md), [Kevin Feige](https://film.one/person/kevin-feige.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 78 (1), 2010s 74 (7), 2020s 65 (6)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 67 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 8, Action 6, Science Fiction 5, Comedy 4, Drama 4, Fantasy 4
- **Screen time:** 24 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $10,156m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Gillan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q231237, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2394794/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/543261

## Coming up

- *Jumanji: Open World* (2026-12-23), as Ruby Roundhouse — [page](https://film.one/film/jumanji-open-world.md)

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Guardians of the Galaxy*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md) (80), [*Avengers: Infinity War*](https://film.one/film/avengers-infinity-war.md) (77), [*Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3.md) (71), [*Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md) (64), [*The Life of Chuck*](https://film.one/film/the-life-of-chuck.md) (63), [*The Call of the Wild*](https://film.one/film/the-call-of-the-wild.md) (63), [*Thor: Love and Thunder*](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md) (55)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle*](https://film.one/film/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle.md) (72)
- **Hulu:** [*Jumanji: The Next Level*](https://film.one/film/jumanji-the-next-level.md) (65)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Karen Gillan

> Karen Gillan makes tough characters interesting by keeping their awkwardness visible. Her Nebula gives us good reason to rate her: she can make a crowded action film funnier simply by seeming tired of everyone else in it.

Nebula snaps at her fellow Guardians as though she has exhausted every more reasonable approach. In *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023), Karen Gillan makes being the only adult aboard a proper comic role. We laughed at her impatience because Drax’s literal-minded contributions give her good reason to be fed up. James Gunn gives Drax and Mantis the double act; Gillan provides the colleague who would rather everyone got on with the job. It is a useful distinction in an ensemble where another eager joker would add little.

Her route from British television to Hollywood ran through Amy Pond in *Doctor Who* (2010–2013) and *Oculus* (2013), before *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014) introduced Nebula. Nebula began as a small part and grew across several films. Gillan also plays her in *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), though our recommendation there rests on how well the crowded gathering holds together. The third *Guardians* is the clearer place to see what she contributes. By then, her character has enough room for the resentment and vulnerability beneath the aggression to register.

Gillan takes the physical demands seriously, and remains attentive to character during the action. In *Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle* (2017), as Martha / Ruby Roundhouse, confidence and social discomfort again have to occupy the same body. Keeping both apparent is more useful than merely looking capable in a fight. With Gunn, that attention survives the prosthetics and the demands of a large ensemble. The reservation is about the films around her: *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* is overlong, and its sagging middle cannot be repaired by giving Nebula somebody else to snap at.

Writing, directing and starring in *The Party’s Just Beginning* (2018) gave her a way beyond franchise casting, while *Douglas Is Cancelled* (2024) brought her back to British television. Those choices are worth noting without assuming that smaller work is automatically better work. What Gunn gets right is to let her remain abrasive without making her tiresome company. For Gillan, the third *Guardians* is worth an evening; allow for a considerable amount of noise around her.

## Biography

Karen Gillan is a Scottish actress and filmmaker. Born on 28 November 1987 in Inverness, she trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

She first gained recognition for playing Amy Pond in the BBC series *Doctor Who* (2010–2013). Early film roles include *Outcast* (2010) and *Not Another Happy Ending* (2013), and she appeared on stage in John Osborne's *Inadmissible Evidence* (2011).

Gillan achieved international prominence portraying Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017), *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022) and *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023). She also starred as Ruby Roundhouse in *Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle* (2017) and *Jumanji: The Next Level* (2019). Gillan wrote and directed *The Party's Just Beginning* (2018).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (14)

### Performed in (13) — the average rests on these

- *The Life of Chuck* (2025), Fi1m 63, as Felicia Gordon — [page](https://film.one/film/the-life-of-chuck.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023), Fi1m 71, as Nebula — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3.md)
- *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022), Fi1m 55, as Nebula — [page](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md)
- *What If...?* (2021), Fi1m 63, as Nebula (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *The Call of the Wild* (2020), Fi1m 63, as Mercedes — [page](https://film.one/film/the-call-of-the-wild.md)
- *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), Fi1m 79, as Nebula — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-endgame.md)
- *Jumanji: The Next Level* (2019), Fi1m 65, as Ruby Roundhouse — [page](https://film.one/film/jumanji-the-next-level.md)
- *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), Fi1m 77, as Nebula — [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-infinity-war.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017), Fi1m 64, as Nebula — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md)
- *Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle* (2017), Fi1m 72, as Martha — [page](https://film.one/film/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle.md)
- *The Big Short* (2015), Fi1m 80, as Evie — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-short.md)
- *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), Fi1m 80, as Nebula — [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md)
- *Doctor Who* (2005), Fi1m 78, as Soothsayer — [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *X* (2022), Fi1m 74, as Radio Steak Seller (voice) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/x.md)

## Complete filmography (77)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Jumanji: Open World* (2026), as Ruby Roundhouse — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/jumanji-open-world.md)
- *Over Your Dead Body* (2026), Co-Producer
- *The Life of Chuck* (2025), as Felicia Gordon — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-life-of-chuck.md)
- *Doctor Who at the Proms* (2024), as Amy Pond (archive footage)
- *Douglas Is Cancelled* (2024), series, as Madeline
- *Late Bloomers* (2024), as Louise
- *Sleeping Dogs* (2024), as Laura Baines / Elizabeth Westlake
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023), as Nebula — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3.md)
- *The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special* (2022), as Nebula
- *Next Exit* (2022), as Dr. Stevensen
- *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022), as Nebula — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/thor-love-and-thunder.md)
- *The Bubble* (2022), as Carol Cobb
- *Dual* (2022), as Sarah
- *X* (2022), as Radio Steak Seller (voice) (uncredited) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/x.md)
- *What If...?* (2021), series, as Nebula (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *Gunpowder Milkshake* (2021), as Sam
- *Calls* (2021), series, as Sara (voice)
- *Marvel Studios Legends* (2021), series, as Nebula (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *The Hoarding* (2020), as Hope · Director, Writer
- *The Call of the Wild* (2020), as Mercedes — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-call-of-the-wild.md)
- *Jumanji: The Next Level* (2019), as Ruby Roundhouse — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/jumanji-the-next-level.md)
- *Spies in Disguise* (2019), as Eyes (voice)
- *Stuber* (2019), as Sara Morris
- *All Creatures Here Below* (2019), as Ruby
- *Eureka!* (2019), as Chloe
- *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), as Nebula — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-endgame.md)
- *The Party's Just Beginning* (2018), as Luisaidh · Director, Screenplay
- *Alex & the List* (2018), as Lily
- *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018), as Nebula — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/avengers-infinity-war.md)
- *Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle* (2017), as Martha — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle.md)
- *The Circle* (2017), as Annie Allerton
- *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017), as Nebula — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2.md)
- *In a Valley of Violence* (2016), as Ellen
- *The Big Short* (2015), as Evie — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-short.md)
- *Conventional* (2015), as Rachel Milligan · Director, Writer
- *Fun Size Horror: Volume Two* (2015), as Rachel Milligan (segment 'Conventional') · Director, Writer
- *7 Days in Hell* (2015), as Lily Allsworth
- *Coward* (2015), Director, Writer, Executive Producer
- *Warning Labels* (2015), as Mindy
- *Selfie* (2014), series, as Eliza Dooley
- *Bound for Greatness* (2014), as Maeve MacDonough
- *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), as Nebula — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md)
- *Oculus* (2014), as Kaylie Russell
- *Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor* (2013), as Amy Pond
- *Doctor Who: Farewell to Matt Smith* (2013), Actor
- *Not Another Happy Ending* (2013), as Jane Lockhart
- *Doctor Who: Clara and the TARDIS* (2013), as Amy Pond (archive footage)
- *Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor* (2013), as Amy Pond (archive footage)
- *Emo Dad* (2013), series, as Jessica
- *Doctor Who - Night and the Doctor: Good Night* (2012), as Amy Pond
- *Doctor Who - Night and the Doctor: Bad Night* (2012), as Amy Pond
- *Doctor Who: Pond Life* (2012), as Amy Pond
- *Pond Life* (2012), series, as Amy Pond
- *A Touch of Cloth* (2012), series, as Kerry Newblood
- *Doctor Who: Good as Gold* (2012), as Amy Pond
- *We'll Take Manhattan* (2012), as Jean Shrimpton
- *Doctor Who: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe* (2011), as Amy Pond
- *Doctor Who: Let’s Kill Hitler Prequel* (2011), as Amy Pond
- *NTSF:SD:SUV::* (2011), series, as Daisy
- *Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol* (2010), as Amy Pond
- *Outcast* (2010), as Ally
- *Doctor Who: Meanwhile in the TARDIS: Part 2* (2010), as Amy Pond
- *Doctor Who: Meanwhile in the TARDIS: Part 1* (2010), as Amy Pond
- *The Well* (2009), series, as Coll
- *New Town Killers* (2008), as Young Girl at Bus Station
- *The Kevin Bishop Show* (2008), series, Actor
- *Harley Street* (2008), series, as Holly
- *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Amy Pond, Soothsayer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Rebus* (2000), series, as Terry Cotter
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Maisie (voice), Maisie MacWeldon (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Fools*, as Mary Tudor
- *Rhona Who Lives by the River*, series, as Rhona #3 · Executive Producer
- *Let's Have Kids!*, as Emma
- *Gunpowder Milkshake 2*, as Sam
- *Highlander*, as Heather MacLeod
- *Cinnamon & Gunpowder*, as Mad Hannah Mabbot
- *Blasphemous*, as Producer

## Gallery

- ![Karen Gillan](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-1f34048c021d.jpg) Karen Gillan — Pedro Heshike for Galaxy Con, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b6/Karen_Gillan_%2853197567618%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Karen Gillan's autograph (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-bd31c5b208a9.jpg) Karen Gillan's autograph (2015) — Macacaosapao, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Aut%C3%B3grafo_de_Karen_Gillan.jpg/1280px-Aut%C3%B3grafo_de_Karen_Gillan.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Awkwafina, Jack Black & Karen Gillan in interview for Jumanji: The Next Level in 2019 (2020)](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-73c14df36eee.jpg) Awkwafina, Jack Black & Karen Gillan in interview for Jumanji: The Next Level in 2019 (2020) — QUE TAL UM CINEMINHA?, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Awkwafina%2C_Jack_Black_%26_Karen_Gillan_in_2019.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Awkwafina, Jack Black & Karen Gillan in interview for Jumanji: The Next Level in 2019 (2020)](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-0f3f80f10172.jpg) Awkwafina, Jack Black & Karen Gillan in interview for Jumanji: The Next Level in 2019 (2020) — QUE TAL UM CINEMINHA?, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Awkwafina%2C_Jack_Black_%26_Karen_Gillan_in_2019_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Karen Gillan](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-f641b284e5ee.jpg) Karen Gillan — Image via TMDB
- ![Karen Gillan](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-e401c8a04221.jpg) Karen Gillan — Image via TMDB
- ![Karen Gillan](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-a6787ea75558.jpg) Karen Gillan — Image via TMDB
- ![Doctor Who actresses Catherine Tate, Alex Kingston and Karen Gillan at GalaxyCon Minneapolis 2019](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-00ba4a4dbc72.jpg) Doctor Who actresses Catherine Tate, Alex Kingston and Karen Gillan at GalaxyCon Minneapolis 2019 — Super Festivals, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Catherine_Tate%2C_Alex_Kingston_and_Karen_Gillan_at_GalaxyCon_Minneapolis_2019.jpg/1280px-Catherine_Tate%2C_Alex_Kingston_and_Karen_Gillan_at_GalaxyCon_Minneapolis_2019.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Karen Gillan at the 2023 New York Comic-Con](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-d72186a23051.jpg) Karen Gillan at the 2023 New York Comic-Con — Philip Romano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/KarenGillan2023.jpg/1280px-KarenGillan2023.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Karen Gillan](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-26fad40d33e3.jpg) Karen Gillan — Image via TMDB
- ![Karen Gillan](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-65b00205325a.jpg) Karen Gillan — Image via TMDB
- ![Karen Gillan](https://film.one/media/person/21171/gallery-dde5022b9e1e.jpg) Karen Gillan — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/karen-gillan