This story originally appeared on RealTime/STL.
On the heels of Matt Smith’s Q&A with fans, “Doctor Who” companion Karen Gillan took the stage Sunday afternoon.
Theater is PACKED for the session w/@KarenGillan2 #DoctorWho #WWSTL Starting soon! pic.twitter.com/1KgmUWIYYT
— Kurt Greenbaum (@kgreenbaum) April 6, 2014
Gillan is well-known for her role as Amy Pond on “Doctor Who.” The TV show, which traces its roots back to 1963, was reborn in 2005 and uses a clever plot device that allows the main character, the Doctor, to “regenerate” as a different actor. The Doctor also travels with friends, known as companions. The series’ 11th Doctor was played by Matt Smith, and for two years Pond and her boyfriend (later husband) Rory Williams were the Doctor’s companions.
Fans asked several questions about Gillan’s “Who” experiences and favorite memories.
"Working on #DoctorWho was my three years of drama school," says @KarenGillan2. #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
"I got to go to work with my friends every day," @KarenGillan2 says of her time on #DoctorWho. #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
Favorite villain? Weeping Angels or Silence, says @KarenGillan2. #doctorwho #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
Best kisser between Rory and #DoctorWho 11? @KarenGillan2 says "I brought out the best from both." #WWSTL pic.twitter.com/3Nml5GvA0a
— Kurt Greenbaum (@kgreenbaum) April 6, 2014
Companion with any other doctor? Christopher Eccleston, says @KarenGillan2. #DoctorWho #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
Was there improv on #doctorwho? "Half the things (Matt Smith) does is unscripted," says @karengillan2. #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
Pranks on the #DoctorWho set? "I was usually the victim of them," says @KarenGillan2. There was a lot of "laughing-slash-crying." #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
If the Doctor was real, where would you go? As far into the future as possible just to see where we all are, says @KarenGillan2. #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
There’s a memorable scene in season six of “Doctor Who” where Amy Pond holds her newborn daughter, and she melts into a puddle of flesh.
How do you cope with an exploding baby? "It was a really weird thing to have happen to me," says @KarenGillan2. #wwstl #doctorwho
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
For the exploding baby, they used water balloons. #wwstl #doctorwho
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
Gillan said she was a “Doctor Who” fan before she was cast, but not as big of a fan as her mother. She’s been able to collect a lot of “Who” memorabilia.
"I have dolls of myself … It's a little creepy," says @karengillan2. #DoctorWho #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
As for the most difficult scene, that had nothing to do with stunts or subject matter.
Hardest scene? "The last scene we filmed," says @KarenGillan2. It wasn't a big scene, but it was the last one. #wwstl #doctorwho
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
Last scene filmed in "power of three" was hardest. Last time as characters. She insists: didn't fondle Matt Smith in the #Tardis. #WWSTL
— Kurt Greenbaum (@kgreenbaum) April 6, 2014
Gillan said her “Who” connection has helped her land other parts, too.
.@KarenGillan2 says she got her role on "Occulus" because of her role on #DoctorWho. #wwstl
— Erica Smith (@ericasmith) April 6, 2014
Before she was cast, Gillan said she talked to the director via Skype and noted he was drinking coffee from a “Doctor Who” themed mug. “Oculus” is a horror film that hits theaters Friday.
Thanks everyone in St Louis. And I am overwhelmed by the number of baby Amelia's I met today!!!
— Karen Gillan (@KarenGillan2) April 6, 2014