interview by JANA LETONJA

Scottish actress Karen Gillan recently took on a powerful role in the fantasy drama ‘The Life of Chuck’. Widely recognized for her standout performances as Amy Pond in ‘Doctor Who’, Nebula in Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Avengers’ franchises, and her action-packed turn in the ‘Jumanji’ films, Gillan has become a global screen presence. Beyond acting, she remains deeply committed to philanthropic causes, using her platform to support initiatives close to her heart.

You’re starring in ‘The Life of Chuck’, which just recently came out. What drew you to this film, and specifically to the role you play?

Initially, what drew me to this film was the fact that Mike Flanagan, the filmmaker, called me up and asked me to be in it. I immediately said yes, and I didn't even need to read the script. Luckily, when I did read the script, I completely fell in love with it and thought it was such a beautiful piece. It explored such poignant, beautiful themes and I just wanted to be a part of telling that story. I'm such a fan of Stephen King and his screen adaptations, so it just seemed like a no brainer. I also already worked with Mike Flanagan before and had such a wonderful time the first time, so it was nice to be reunited.

Stephen King’s work always has a layered emotional current beneath the surreal. How did you approach the tonal complexity of this story?

All I really do is, well, quite simple. I try to find the most truthful way of telling each moment that I'm in, and that's sort of my whole job. Find the authenticity in all the moments, despite the fact you might be doing something completely outlandish, something completely removed from real life. You could be in space, you could be down on Earth, and in this movie, it is the end of everything. I had to just really ask myself “What would that genuinely feel like?” and then somehow conjure up that emotion.

suit and shoes TIBI
earrings DEMARSON
necklace PIANEGONDA
rings LILOU

This film was a hit at TIFF and won the People’s Choice Award. What was your reaction to that audience response, and what do you think resonates most about the story?

It was such a cool moment when it won the festival because it wasn't on any of the lists of films to watch, and it was a little bit of an underdog in that respect. The audience just absolutely connected with it, and it really resonated. I think that people resonated with it because it's just a celebration of life and those joyful little moments along the way. I think people really need that right now during these times.

Indie films like this one often allow for a more intimate, experimental process. How did this production compare to your work on bigger studio sets?

When you hear “action” and you're in the scene, it's sort of the same, whether you're on a tiny film or a gigantic, huge film. So, my process doesn't differ and my experience isn't very different. It's more just like the experience around filming. You're going to get that nice trailer on the big films, but that's not what it's about. I try to find the most authentic way of telling any character’s story despite the size of the movie. I'm not really thinking about that when I'm working.

Is there a character from your past work that you feel has stuck with you emotionally, maybe more than you expected?

I think I maintain tiny little traits from each character, and I've become this Frankenstein of a person. Like little ways of moving or little ways of saying things, little accents, affectations. I don't like it. I want to get rid of them. I'm not trying to hold on to those.

You’ve done action, sci-fi, drama, and even directed your own feature. What’s one genre or format you haven’t tackled yet but would love to explore?

I want to direct a horror film. And I'm going to direct a horror film so, to be continued.

How has your relationship with acting evolved from your early ‘Doctor Who’ days to now, working with filmmakers like Mike Flanagan and studios like NEON?

My relationship with acting is ever evolving, constantly learning, hopefully getting better and not getting worse. But I mean, if I look at my early acting work in 'Doctor Who', I don't really recognise that person. And that is both cringe worthy to me and I'm grateful for it, because it means that I'm improving. And I'm sure there'll come a time when I look back at the current me and be like “What were you thinking?”

jacket, suit and tie THE FRANKIE SHOP
shirt stylist’s own

You’ve brought a bit of your Scottish identity into several roles. How does your upbringing still inform your work and your point of view as a storyteller?

I don't think that being Scottish necessarily informs my work. But my upbringing, in terms of being a working-class person from a council estate, I think that does inform my perspective on life and my perspective on a lot of roles and stories, and being able to kind of tell the stories of working class people more authentically. The industry is absolutely jam packed with middle, upper class people that don't actually know what it's like, and they don't understand the level of struggle that can exist, because there's not always the safety net for people. And I think that's not me like putting down their work or anything, because I think they do it effectively, but I do think there's just a certain authenticity that a true working-class person can bring to certain roles.

shirt and trousers BRIONI
coat MONSE
shoes GABRIELA HEARST
tie DRAKE’S
sunglasses ELISA JOHNSON

You also recently became a mom. How did that milestone change your outlook on the roles you take on, and acting as a whole?

It's changed everything. It's changed my entire outlook on life. My priorities have shifted. It's all completely different now, and I'm going to have to absolutely love any role that I play in any upcoming project I do, because the cost of doing it is so much higher because it means that there will be some time away from her. So, I am going to be very choosy going forward. I think this is going to be a new chapter for me as an artist and I think I'm going to lean more into my own stuff, creating my own stuff, and being a filmmaker and being in the films that I create.

You also regularly participate in philanthropic endeavours. What causes are currently the dearest to you?

I like to support charities that can help with the treatment of animals on farms and I'm looking to support that as much as possible. I think there needs to be stronger laws and stronger regulations to protect these animals. I'm also an ambassador for Mikeysline, which is a suicide text line for people experiencing suicidal thoughts up in my hometown in Inverness, Scotland.

What can you share with us about your other upcoming projects?

I can share that in this new era, I'm going to be making a horror film that's sort of a big celebration of the horror genre, as well as a commentary. I'm going to be re-teaming with Mike Flanagan on something else that I can't talk about too much, but to be continued on that.

jumper MONSE
coat PAUL SMITH
earrings ALEXIS BITTAR
sunglasses ELISE JOHNSON

TEAM CREDITS:

talent KAREN GILLAN
photography YOSSI MICHAELI
styling ROBYN VICTORIA FERNANDES
makeup DANI PARKES for Exclusive Artists
hair SASHA NESTERCHUK at Opus Beauty using Keune
production REBECCA CHERRY
photography assistant OMER KAPLAN
styling assistant MADILYNN STITH
hair asssitant AIDAN RODRIGUEZ
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA
location THE MARK HOTEL NY

IN CONVERSATION WITH KAREN GILLAN

IN CONVERSATION WITH POL HERMOSO

IN CONVERSATION WITH DENÈE BENTON