The Doctor Who and Guardians of the Galaxy actor will star in the sitcom from Suburgatory writer Emily Kapnek, a spin on My Fair Lady

Karen Gillan is to take the lead role in Selfie, a new sitcom pilot for US network ABC that promises to add a modern spin to the My Fair Lady story.

She will play Eliza Dooley, a social network-obsessed narcissist who has her public image dragged through the mud via a humiliating breakup and an embarrassing viral video. The show follows her as she tries to get back on track, hiring a marketing expert to help restore her standing. The pilot will be written by Emily Kapnek, who created and wrote the successful sitcom Surbugatory.

Gillan became widely known for her role as Amy Pond in Doctor Who, and has branched out in US productions following that success. This summer she will appear in Marvel blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy as supervillain Nebula, a role she had to shave her head for.

At the indier end of the spectrum, she is starring this year in paranormal thriller Oculus, and has had a recurring role in spoof hi-tech crime drama NTSF:SD:SUV. She also recently completed filming on romantic comedy The List, co-starring Patrick Fugit.