Karen Gillan

Karen: (on her audition for Doctor Who): Then I got the recall, the second audition. That was when I started sweating. This huge thing. And it was so secretive I couldn't even tell BBC reception where I was going, had to pretend it was for something called Panic Moon, which is an anagram of companion.

Karen: (on looking up herself on the internet): I just started to read a few things, like articles that people had written and then I started to read a couple of the comments and then I thought, "Right, I shouldn't do this, it's too weird for the head!" And then I stopped! People talking about you and projecting all these things on you ... it was like, "whoa, okay!" It's also really nice, on the other hand, because people care and they're interested.

Karen: (on Amy's relationship with the Doctor): She has a love for him, a really deep love for him. But not romantic.

Karen: (On being asked if she's talked to former companions on Doctor Who) I haven't, no. I would love to though. They're all busy actresses and I'm sure they've got more important things to do than get in touch with me, but hopefully I'll get to meet them in the future.

Karen: I'd love to do a film like Porno, the sequel to Trainspotting. That would be a dream come true, to play a really gritty part with an excellent cast. I'd like to explore that side of things.

Karen: I got teased for being a redhead when I was younger, which is strange because I'm Scottish and there are loads of us - we should unite forces! I love my red hair.

Karen: (About seeing iconic images from Doctor Who). When I first met the Daleks, I couldn't believe it, because it's such an iconic image and it was just sitting there ... and then you meet the guys who control them on the inside.

Karen: (About her character, Amy Pond's dress sense) Yes, the skirt is quite short. Initially, they wanted me in trousers, just because of the practicality of running around. But I wanted the mini-skirt because I think it really suits Amy's sassy character.

Karen: (On telling her parents about being cast in Doctor Who). I really wanted to tell my parents, but I thought it wasn't a good idea as my mum Marie is a huge fan. I didn't want to drop that bomb on her and she'd then have to keep it secret.So I waited until the news went public before going up to Inverness to tell her.

Karen: (About her role in Doctor Who.) It was so much fun playing a villain – you can really go over the top.

Karen: (About working with the Eleventh Doctor.) 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!

Karen: (On being cast as the new companion for Doctor Who for the fifth season.) I am absolutely over the moon at being chosen to play the Doctor's new companion. The show is such a massive phenomenon that I can't quite believe I am going to be a part of it.