Gillian Anderson Teases Ryan Coogler’s X-FILES Reboot and Tells Fans to “Have an Open Mind”
There’s been a lot of curiosity surrounding the upcoming X-Files reboot, and now Gillian Anderson has weighed in after actually reading the pilot script. Her reaction is pretty enthusiastic.
If you’ve been skeptical about revisiting that world without the original duo leading the charge, Anderson’s comments might shift your perspective just a bit.
Speaking at Awesome Con in Washington DC, Anderson talked about Ryan Coogler’s take on the iconic sci-fi series. She confirmed she’s been in touch with the filmmaker and even got a look at what he’s cooking up.
"We've had a few conversations. He's such a cool guy and so talented, and the pilot script is really good. So, I would say, 'Have an open mind and give it a chance because it's gonna be f***ing cool.' It really is.
"It's something different. It's different and it's special.”
That’s a strong endorsement from the actor who helped define the franchise as Dana Scully.
The X-Files first hit screens back in 1993, pairing Scully with Fox Mulder, played by David Duchovny. The show blended paranormal mysteries, government conspiracies, and character-driven storytelling in a way that hooked audiences for years.
It ran for nine seasons before returning twice, once in 2016 and again in 2018, proving the appetite for weird, unexplained cases never really went away.
The franchise also expanded to the big screen with The X-Files in 1998 and later The X-Files: I Want to Believe in 2008, both leaning deeper into the mythology fans loved.
It’s funny because since the series first premiered, many of the “conspiricacy theories” it played with turned out to be true. It’ll be interesting to see if and how they might adress that in the new series.
Coogler’s version is still mostly under wraps, but a few key details have surfaced. The series is headed to Hulu, with original showrunner Chris Carter involved as an executive producer. On the casting front, Danielle Deadwyler is set to lead as one of the new FBI agents stepping into this new chapter of the the franchise.
What makes this reboot especially interesting is the promise that it won’t simply retread old ground. Anderson’s comments reinforce that this isn’t about copying what worked before. It’s aiming to do something fresh while still tapping into the DNA that made The X-Files such a phenomenon.
At this point, fans are left in that familiar space between curiosity and cautious optimism. But if Anderson’s reaction is any indication, Coogler might be onto something genuinely exciting.
Until more details drop, all we can really do is take her advice and keep an open mind.