Interview: Karen Gillan, actress, Doctor Who

Published on Sunday 28 March 2010 11:44

On Inspirations

My tutor Scott Johnson, at Telford College in Edinburgh, was a major influence on me. He was so passionate about what he did that he took seven of us out to Romania to study for a play we were doing.

On film

As a kid I loved Judy Garland. But my favourite film was Little Shop of Horrors. Now I really admire Maggie Smith – I think she has made some great choices in her career.

On Scotland

My favourite thing in the world is chippy sauce, which you can only get in Edinburgh. Once you've had chips with chippy sauce, you'll never want them without.

The main problem with filming Doctor Who is that I can't get home to Inverness as often as I'd like. I've got great friends up there.

On fashion

My biggest fashion faux pas is a toss-up between dyeing half my hair pink or the men's jumpers I used to wear with combat trousers.

I got to meet some great people while I was modelling and did some great shows, but I always wanted to get into acting.

On Dr Who

I think it's really great that people are so passionate about the show. It's the longest running sci-fi show in the world, so of course it has a really loyal fan base. Plus, my mum is a massive fan.

On kissing a time lord

It's really weird kissing Matt. I see him as an older brother. But that's just what you have to do as an actor sometimes.

Karen Gillan is the time lord's assistant in the new series of Doctor Who, Saturday, BBC1, 6.20pm

&#149 This Article was first published in Scotland on Sunday, March 28, 2010