Little-known actress to join Dr Who

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Karen Gillian, 21, had a small role in the last series of the BBC show, when she played a Soothsayer in The Fires Of Pompeii.

She grew up in Inverness, Scotland, and will star alongside new Doctor Matt Smith, 26, when the hit drama returns to BBC1 in Spring 2010.

Smith was also little-known when the announcement was made that he was taking over the role.

Gillian beat off competition from dozens of hopefuls to land the coveted job.

She said: "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

"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!"

Gillian attended several youth theatre groups and took part in a wide range of productions at her school, Charleston Academy.

Aged 16, she decided she wanted to pursue her acting career further and so left school to study acting at Edinburgh's Telford College.

While studying, she spent time watching the plays that passed through the city - including a production of Look Back in Anger with David Tennant in the lead role before he became the current Doctor.