Production is just about to begin on Season 7 of Doctor Who , which will mark a big change for the series. As announced late last year, this will be the final season for Amy Pond and Rory Williams , who will depart the series at some unspecified point in the next season.

Recently, I spoke to Karen Gillan about her TV movie, We'll Take Manhattan, where she plays famous 1960s model Jean Shrimpton. I'll have more on that part of our interview when the movie premieres in the US, but our conversation also turned to Gillan's impending departure from Doctor Who . While she was sworn to secrecy on any specifics regarding how many episodes she'll be appearing in or how Amy comes to leave, she had plenty to say about what it's like to prepare to say goodbye to the series.

Actually, I called [executive producer/showrunner] Steven Moffat and arranged the dinner and then basically told him roughly when I wanted to go. He told me where the story was at and where it was going and then we kind of together came up with it. So it was really pleasant, actually. We had a lovely dinner and just kind of discussed what we both want and what's going to happen and then came to the decision. That was ages ago, so I've known for ages!I wanted to go on a high. Also, Steven Moffat comes up with endless, amazing ideas anyway, but I wanted to make sure that I went on a high when the character was at her prime. There's just something quite nice and appealing about that to me. I don't know… It just felt right! I like to go on instinct.

Doctor Who: Casting the Next Companion

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I'm not allowed to say! But I know they're going to be damn good. It's so exciting.I think it's the best ever. I can't say anything, but oh god, I'm dying to say something!I want to see her go with everything that she wants, because initially, when we met her, she was just seeking what she wants, you know what I mean? And she was kind of in this lost, transitional period, where she didn't have a stable life. So I just want to see her get what she wants.I really, really want to have a final exit and then be able to look back on that as a final exit. I don't know... I just don't want to take away from that exit by making cameos in the future. I'd quite like it to be final and for people just to remember it fondly.I don't even know what I'm hoping for. I just know that whatever I hope for, I read it and it's always better![Laughs] Oh my god! It's in the pipeline! It's gonna happen.[Editor's Note: I feel I need to add that Karen was clearly joking - I don't think anyone should hold their breath for a body switch episode!]It's so weird. It's just so weird. I was 21 when I started this job and I didn't really know what I was getting into. And then it just went crazy. It was this whirlwind. I'm coming out of the other end of it and I feel like a different person almost. And I just had the best time of my entire life doing this job. Honestly, I've got to say that. So obviously I'm going to be sad to be going and I'm going to be leaving my best mates behind. But you know, all things come to a natural end and that's what the show's about: Change. And you just kind of have to embrace it and go with it.

Continue to Page 2 to see what Karen had to say about her favorite episode, Amy Pond toys and more.