Karen Gillan's daughter now obsessed with skeletons after office coping trick
Synopsis
Karen Gillan's skeleton-in-the-office trick to cure her toddler's fear worked a little too well — now the Marvel star says she's permanently 'walking around' with bones in tow. The candid Instagram post is a rare personal moment from an actress best known for Nebula and Jumanji's Ruby Roundhouse, who is also preparing for the franchise's next instalment.
Key Takeaways
Karen Gillan shared an Instagram post revealing her daughter's skeleton obsession, sparked by a coping exercise in her office.
Gillan is married to comedian Nick Kocher ; the couple wed in May 2022 in Scotland and have a daughter born in November 2024 .
She is globally recognised for playing Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Amy Pond in Doctor Who .
Gillan will next appear as Ruby Roundhouse in Jumanji: The Open World , alongside Dwayne Johnson , Kevin Hart , and Jack Black .
She also wrote and directed the drama film The Party's Just Beginning .
Actress Karen Gillan has shared an endearing parenting anecdote on Instagram, revealing how a quirky coping exercise involving a skeleton in her office transformed her daughter from being terrified of skeletons to completely enchanted by them — with some unexpected consequences for the Jumanji star's daily routine.
The Instagram Post That Started It All
Gillan posted a photograph of herself carrying her daughter alongside a toy skeleton, accompanied by a candid caption that quickly resonated with parents everywhere. 'My baby is obsessed with skeletons now. She used to be scared so we practiced saying "Hi Skeleton!" to the skeleton I have in my office (don't ask), and now she loves them and I have to walk around like this. WHAT HAVE I DONE?,' she wrote.
The post offered a rare glimpse into the actress's home life, blending humour with the relatable chaos of early parenthood. The image of a Marvel star navigating toddler logic — with a prop skeleton in tow — struck a chord online.
Karen Gillan's Family Life
Gillan is married to American comedian Nick Kocher. The couple wed in May 2022 in a ceremony held in Scotland, and welcomed their daughter in November 2024. The actress has spoken sparingly about her personal life in public, making the lighthearted Instagram post a notably candid moment.
A Career That Spans Sci-Fi, Marvel and Beyond
Born in Inverness, Scotland, Gillan first gained widespread recognition for portraying Amy Pond, the primary companion to the Eleventh Doctor in the long-running BBC science fiction series Doctor Who. Her early film appearances included the thriller Outcast and the romantic comedy Not Another Happy Ending, while she also appeared on the British stage in John Osborne's play Inadmissible Evidence.
She made her Hollywood debut in 2013 with the horror film Oculus, before going on to play the lead in the sitcom Selfie. Her profile rose dramatically when she was cast as Nebula in multiple films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) — a role that cemented her as a global name.
What's Next: Jumanji Open World
Gillan will next reprise her role as Ruby Roundhouse in Jumanji: The Open World, the latest instalment in the blockbuster fantasy franchise. The film reunites her with co-stars Kevin Hart as Franklin Finbar, Dwayne Johnson as Dr. Bravestone, and Jack Black as Professor Sheldon Oberon. Beyond acting, Gillan has also stepped behind the camera, writing and directing the drama film The Party's Just Beginning.
With a new Jumanji film on the horizon and a toddler with an increasingly adventurous taste in décor, Gillan's hands appear to be comfortably full.
Point of View
And Gillan's skeleton anecdote lands because it is genuinely unscripted — a Marvel and Jumanji star undone by toddler logic. What makes it noteworthy beyond the charm is the rarity: Gillan has kept her personal life largely private since her daughter's birth in late 2024, making even a playful Instagram caption feel like meaningful access. For a performer building toward a major franchise release, the timing of a warm, relatable post is rarely accidental — but that does not make the story any less real.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karen Gillan post about her daughter and skeletons?
Gillan posted a photo on Instagram showing her carrying her daughter alongside a toy skeleton, explaining that her daughter used to be scared of skeletons until they practised saying 'Hi Skeleton!' to one in her office. The exercise worked so well that her daughter is now obsessed, and Gillan jokes she has to 'walk around like this' with bones everywhere.
Who is Karen Gillan married to and does she have children?
Karen Gillan is married to American comedian Nick Kocher. They married in May 2022 in Scotland and welcomed a daughter in November 2024.
What is Karen Gillan best known for?
Gillan is best known internationally for playing Nebula in multiple Marvel Cinematic Universe films and Ruby Roundhouse in the Jumanji franchise. She first rose to fame in the UK as Amy Pond in the BBC series Doctor Who.
What is Karen Gillan's next film project?
Gillan will reprise her role as Ruby Roundhouse in Jumanji: The Open World, which reunites her with Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black in their respective franchise roles.
Has Karen Gillan worked behind the camera as well?
Yes. Beyond acting, Gillan wrote and directed the drama film The Party's Just Beginning, demonstrating creative ambitions that extend well past on-screen performance.
