Doctor Who's Karen Gillan to star in US horror film

Gillan will play a woman convinced an antique mirror killed her parents

Scots actress Karen Gillan has been given the lead part in a film about a haunted mirror, according to the Radio Times.

Gillan, from Inverness, leaves her role as Doctor Who companion Amy Pond in series seven of the BBC One show later this year.

In new US horror film, Oculus, she will play Kaylie whose brother is convicted of murdering their parents.

Kaylie believes an antique looking glass was responsible.

<link> <caption>The Radio Times reported</caption> <url href="http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-07-14/doctor-whos-karen-gillan-to-star-in-us-horror-movie-oculus" platform="highweb"/> </link> that filming was due to begin on the project in Alabama this autumn.

Gillan is also to appear in Not Another Happy Ending, a film set in Scotland about an author with writer's block.

She has also played 1960s model Jean Shrimpton in BBC Four drama We'll Take Manhattan.

Last year, Gillan surprised arts students by making a guest appearance at their end of term performance in Inverness.

Gillan also presented awards to Eden Court's London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts students.

The 24-year-old previously studied drama and performed at the city's theatre.

She was a member of Eden Court's youth dance company and senior youth theatre.