Posted on 05/29/2009 6:09:43 AM PDT by csvset
Little-known actress Karen Gillan has been unveiled as the next assistant in Doctor Who. The 21-year-old will star alongside new Time Lord Matt Smith in the new series, to be broadcast next year.
Gillan has already appeared in the drama, having played a Soothsayer in The Fires Of Pompeii in the last run.
"I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion. - I just can't wait to get started," she said.
'Incredible actor'
"The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it. "Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him," she added.
Head of Drama, BBC Wales, Piers Wenger said she brings "energy and excitement" to the role. "When she auditioned alongside Matt we knew we had something special," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
SciFi ping
NOT GUILTY!
Picture of Matt Smith, please. I am very attached to the outgoing Time Lord (expiring Time Lord?). And I loved Catherine Tate as the Assistant.
In most TV series the plot changes but the characters stay the same. In Doctor Who the plot never changes but the characters do. What a concept.
Is she related to Ian Gillan?
ping
Karen grew up in Inverness, Scotland and developed a love for acting very early on, attending several youth theatre groups and taking part in a wide range of productions at her school, Charleston Academy.
Aged 16, Karen decided she wanted to pursue her acting career further and a year later secured a place at the prestigious Italia Conti academy in London. During her first year she landed a role in Rebus and soon appeared in a variety of programmes including Channel 4's Stacked and The Kevin Bishop Show. Karen also stars in the forthcoming film Outcast starring James Nesbitt
When she's not acting Karen likes to play the piano and loves rummaging through vintage clothes shops. But it looks unlikely she'll be able to do much rummaging in the near future as she gears up for a life in the TARDIS, and in the limelight!
But she's ready for the challenges and adventures that will follow, declaring, 'Matt Smith is an incredible actor and it is going to be so much fun to act alongside him - I just can't wait to get started!'
Looking forward to the new season!!
Why do they just HAVE to pick one of the homeliest actors to play the time lord?
Thanks. You are a sweetie. I will reserve judgment, but I don’t think David Tennant can be replaced.
My wife , (she’s a much bigger fan of the show than I am ), said, “No!” , when she heard that Tennant was leaving the show.
Well, this is like the 11th incarnation of the Doctor (wasn’t there supposed to be something that after 8 incarnations, his body wears out or something???), so everyone’s got their own favorite Doctor — I like the first, plus also the guy with the wild black hair and scarf.
I didn’t think Tom Baker could be replaced, but was quite pleased with Peter’s portrayal of the doctor. But the new Dr. is quite homely - they seem to be looking for the gaunt, haunted look.
Well, they’ve killed Doctor Who, I sadly fear... making a 26 year old pretty boy Dr. Who? Please... Hopefully this Matt fellows stint will be brief and the Dr will be regenerating at the end of the season and get this guppy the hell out of dodge.
Doctor Emo?
I personally prefered Eccles portrayal of the Doctor over Tennants, but this Flock of Seagulls 26 year old I think is the death of the show. Hopefully the producers will rapidly realize their mistake and the Doctor will be regenerated rapidly.
Way back in the early days of Doctor Who they mentioned a 12 regenration limit, but I don’t think its been mentioned since that one episode decades ago... so I suspect that fact will be ignored when it comes time to cast Doctor 13.
Its the Kiddie Boy Flock of Seagulls demographic they are going for. I’ll give it a chance, but I don’t hold out much hope for this doctor being very good.
Time Lord is genious and nearly a thousand years old, not seeing this guppy bean pole being able to deliver on that role seriously.
I am afraide the writers are going to dumb down the show to fit this “doctor”, and that would be a shame.
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