What can you tell me about the actress who played Jean Shrimpton in the movie We'll Take Manhattan? Is she any relation to the real-life model?
—Michael Cooper, Omaha, Neb.
English supermodel Shrimpton, 69, retired from the glitzy world of modeling 42 years ago and now operates the Abbey Hotel in Cornwall. She was portrayed in the film by Scottish beauty Karen Gillan, who at 5' 11" is taller by two inches than "The Shrimp." Gillan is best known for her role as Amy Pond in the most recent incarnation of Doctor Who.
The model and the actress who played her are not related, but the fact that Gillan had some previous modeling experience was helpful in landing the role. "I modeled for a couple of years before I got the job on Doctor Who, but that was just a job to me, if I am being completely honest," the Scotland-born 24-year-old says. "Modeling was a way of subsidizing myself while I tried to get into acting."
Gillan's big break came with Doctor Who, but it was recently announced that her role on the popular series would be wrapping up. "I feel sad because I'm going to leave, but with any story, it has to come to an end," she says. "It was a mutual decision between me and [executive producer/writer] Steven Moffat. We had this lovely dinner and decided when the best time for me to go was. I'm excited, but slightly scared."
As for when her exit takes place, she will only say, "There's going to be a few episodes [into the next season], a few really good episodes."
