Not Luck, Just Work – An interview with Actress KAREN GILLAN
Laruicci dress.
Karen Gillan is instantly recognizable: a shock of red hair, a poised stride, and a lilting Highland drawl. Fresh from SoulCycle, her glow catches every onlooker, rosy from the hard work she knows well. She carries herself like an old friend, gracious and self-deprecating despite a résumé stacked with Marvel blockbusters (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers) and collaborations with horror auteur Mike Flanagan (Oculus, The Life of Chuck).
Gillan reflects on a career shaped by her rural Scottish upbringing with warmth and humility. Whether leading blockbuster franchises or intimate indie films, she approaches each role with the same care and respect for her craft. She often refers to acting simply as “the arts,” a telling habit for someone more interested in creative fulfillment than financial gain— though she’s found plenty of both. More than a decade in, her immersive method has crossed genres, audiences, and continents. At the height of her career, Gillan sat down with BASIC to share her next projects, her roots in Scotland, and her growing passion behind the lens.
Your path to Hollywood was unorthodox. You didn’t grow up with connections to the industry—so how did you evolve from a girl in Inverness, Scotland, to a screen maven with such an impressive list of credits?
I was an incredibly shy child. I found it really hard to talk to people or even look them in the eye. I didn’t know how to function socially. I think acting became the only place where I could be a more commanding person. I had license to be all of the things I wished I was in my normal life. Performance in general became my avenue of expression and feeling good about myself. I really enjoyed writing songs, singing, and putting on different characters or voices. Though, I cannot dance. [laughs] From an early age, I decided that was what I was going to do with my life, because that was the only arena I was able to feel better about myself. It was the plan from really early on. Because I was so shy, I was rejected quite a bit in the school plays. I would crumble in the audition. I knew I was one of the best at it behind closed doors, so I had to have a lot of belief in myself to be able to show them what I was actually capable of. Gradually, I grew more and more confident. I performed in local productions until, at 15 years old, I learned that actors had agents. Being from where I’m from, there was no one in the industry—no connections, no examples. I figured this out as I went, writing to every agent in Scotland until one miraculously took me on. But there wasn’t much work in Scotland, so it was one audition a year. In the meantime, I began studying acting in Edinburgh before moving on to London for university. That agent came through with an audition, which became my first television role (Doctor Who). I left drama school, and we were off to the races. You have to make a really concerted effort to break into the industry with my background. There are no examples of pure luck, because you’re just not around it.
Your role in the new Highlander film was just announced. What was the audition and casting process like, and what are you most looking forward to?
Ever since I heard about the reboot of Highlander, I wanted to be in it—because I’m a Highlander! When would that opportunity ever come again? There are so few Highland Scottish roles anyway, but this is a classic and a beloved film I’m honored to be involved in. I got word from the director, who also directed the John Wick films, which I love so much. That was one of the most exciting parts of the project—that someone as good as him is going to take this film and make it even better. I sat down with him, and I had just come from a whisky tasting, which is maybe the most Scottish thing I’ve ever done in my life. We got on great and, luckily, I was offered the part. Filming near my hometown is going to be a beautiful full-circle moment.
“I was an incredibly shy child. I found it really hard to talk to people or even look them in the eye. I didn’t know how to function socially. I think acting became the only place where I could be a more commanding person.”
You welcomed your daughter, Clementine, in December. How has motherhood shifted your perspective—both in your career and in life?
When I first found out I was pregnant—this is really meta and ironic—I was just getting into rehearsals for a film called Let’s Have Kids, about two best friends deciding to get pregnant at the same time. My character has difficulty conceiving, so she actually isn’t pregnant in the film. The entire script and the research going into it revolved around the journey of pursuing motherhood. It was wild to experience the fake version of it, knowing what was to come. Now, I look back, and it was very accurate. On set, I couldn’t tell anyone because it was so early. Any women reading this who have experienced that will know: working through your first trimester—Jesus Christ! It is not easy. You’re falling asleep all the time. I was lucky to take the rest of my pregnancy off, and I haven’t filmed since having Clementine. Highlander will be my return to acting. I feel so fortunate that I haven’t had to go back to work. My perspective has drastically shifted, and I realize you never get this time back. I deeply empathize with women who are not in that position and have to return to work so quickly. I’m grateful to have had this time to focus on bringing her into the world and helping her reach a place of more independence. I truly don’t know how it will work when I’m working, but we’re about to find out.
You shaved your head for your Guardians of the Galaxy role. Tell us about that decision—did it help your process, or was it more about cutting down on hours in hair and makeup?
To be honest, when I got the call from my agents about auditioning for that Marvel role, the first question they asked me was, ‘Are you willing to shave your head?’ The director was not open to casting anyone who wasn’t going to shave their head for the role. He didn’t like bald caps. I agree, they don’t look quite as realistic. He wanted someone fully committed. Of course I’ll shave my head for Marvel. If there’s one thing you’d do it for, it’s that! Also, I didn’t really think I was going to get it. They were seeing everyone from all over the world. As the process went on, I started realizing, I really am going to do this. Finally, I was face-to-face with that electric shaver. It was an incredible experience. I’d always been defined by my red hair. My whole life, that was how people described me. It was my identity, what separated me from others. To shed that was both scary and liberating. I did have a hard time, because I felt less feminine. I’m so tall that people would mistake me for a man from behind. That’s fine—unless you’re single and dating. Otherwise, it was such a cool experience. I wouldn’t change any of it, and I’m so much more appreciative of my locks now.
You’ve starred in blockbuster franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy, Jumanji, and Avengers: Endgame. Do you prefer these larger-than-life roles, or characters closer to reality? How does your preparation differ?
The character I find the most interesting of all I’ve played is Nebula of Guardians of the Galaxy. Sure, she’s an alien, but she is also this overlooked, scapegoated sibling living within a toxic family dynamic. There’s a well of things to explore, and I keep finding new angles every time I do a Marvel film. I feel fortunate to be getting so much time with her. She’s my favorite character. But being in the Jumanji films is so fun. The levity of that—the playfulness day-to-day is wildly enjoyable. My process doesn’t differ between a larger-than-life blockbuster and an indie with no money. The focus is always on how I can portray this character as truthfully as possible. If I can feel these emotions myself, maybe other people will believe it. It doesn’t matter the character. My job is always the same. That even extends to characters who are from outer space, like Nebula, or completely outlandish roles. I’m still approaching it with the same dedication to being as truthful as possible—trying to empathize with the character and conjuring up a time in my life when I felt that way. Genuinely channeling that onscreen is the key.
“You find a lot of upper-middle class people going into acting. It’s such a competitive industry that most who pursue it are those with a safety net. I want to encourage as many working-class people as possible to pursue their love of the arts. Let’s not let it become this elitist industry.”
Your range and filmography are impressive—television, films, action roles alongside tongue-in-cheek archetypes of femininity. How do you shape shift between genres while keeping your sense of self intact? What grounds you as an A-list actor?
I don’t see myself getting carried away in any of it because of where I’m from: a really normal background with two stable parents. I’m from a working-class back- ground, which is rare in this industry. You find a lot of upper-middle class people going into acting. It’s such a competitive industry that most who pursue it are those with a safety net. I want to encourage as many working-class people as possible to pursue their love of the arts. Let’s not let it become this elitist industry. If I ever did get swept away by this, I’d be brought down to earth so quickly. The majority of my friends see my acting career as more of an inconvenience, since it gets in the way of our socializing, so they certainly aren’t fanning the flames of ego. Having self-worth beyond what you do for a living is integral. That would remain if this all went away. I had the time of my life on Selfie. I tried completely different things every single take. It was a field day living in that space. I had so much fun with that character. And to be in an American sitcom was a dream. I grew up watching Friends, and then filmed opposite their stage on the Warner Bros. lot. I would stare in disbelief. It was a pinch-me moment. The reason I came to the states initially was for Oculus by Mike Flanagan. He was a Doctor Who fan, knew I was finishing shooting, and offered me a role.
What’s next for you? We know you have some projects still under wraps, but share what you can!
We’re making another Jumanji movie, which will be beyond fun. After that, I feel like I’m entering a new era—the filmmaker version of myself. I’m making a horror movie that I’m so excited about. It’s something I’ve created from scratch, and I’m so proud of it. I just hope people come to see it. [laughs] In earnest, I’m so looking forward to this new chapter!
Source: https://basic-magazine.com/not-luck-just-work-an-interview-with-actress-karen-gillan/
Credits:
Sponsored by AQUA RISERVA @aquariserva_
Photographer TYLER PATRICK KENNY @tylerpatrickkenny
Stylist, Producer LEONID GUREVICH @leonidgurevich
Hair TIMOTHY AYLWARD using R+CO Vicious Strong Hold Flexible Hairspray @timothyaylward
Makeup DANI PARKES for Exclusive Artists using Chanel Beauty @facesbydanii
Photographer’s Assistants MARK ROBERTS @themarkroberts KAILYNN ARLEQUIN @ft.kailynn
Stylist’s Assistants MACKENZIE CARTER, MARINA GUREVICH
Videography by VILNA
Borzoi AALTO Represented by DIORAMA AGENCY
Special Thanks to BIZARRE BUSHWICK STUDIO @bizarrebushwickstudio