“Sinners” and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler has produced a pilot episode for a planned Hulu reboot series for “The X-Files.” Now, following production on the episode, one of the show’s original stars, Gillian Anderson, is sharing her thoughts on the direction of the show and remaining mute on whether she will appear.
Anderson sat down for an Entertainment Tonight interview with her “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” costar, Hannah Einbinder, who asked her various questions. During the discussion, the topic of Coogler’s planned reboot of “X-Files” came up, with the “Hacks” alum asking Anderson for her thoughts and if she may appear.
First, the 57-year-old played coy, joking, “He is?” Anderson then said, “I can’t answer the last question, but the question before that, I cannot think of a better person to take the helm.” After that, the beloved actress stated that she “cannot wait to see it.”
She added, “I think that he’s extraordinary and I read the script that he wrote, and it’s brilliant.” Anderson continued, “I was impressed by how different and yet how quintessentially like an X-File it was.
Gillian Spoke About The Reboot After It Was First Announced
Coogler has been involved in a planned “X-Files” reboot since 2023. After the success of “Sinners” in 2025, it was confirmed that this would be his next project. Then, in February 2026, Hulu ordered a pilot for the series to determine whether they would be interested in commissioning a full season.
In May 2025, while appearing on ITV1’s “This Morning,” she reacted to the plans to once again bring the iconic series back. Anderson said, “I spoke to [Coogler], and what I said was, ‘If anyone were to do it, I think you are the perfect person, and best of luck.”
She continued, joking, “Call me,” before adding, “At some point, if the phone rings and it’s good and it feels like the right time, perhaps.” Anderson then said of her potential involvement, “Whether I am involved in it is a whole other thing; I’m not saying no.”
In discussing the Oscar-winning director, Anderson stated, “I think [Coogler is] really cool and I think if he did it, it would probably be done incredibly well. And maybe I’ll pop in for a little something something.”
The ‘X-Files’ Alum Credits The Role For Her Career
“X-Files,” which Anderson co-starred on with David Duchovny, premiered on Fox in 1993 before ending its original run in 2002. Several years later, the show was revived, running from 2016 until 2018. During the revival, Anderson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ahead of the honor, she spoke to Variety, reflecting on the show’s legacy and how it helped launch her career as an actress. While reflecting on her early years on the show, she said, “I was so green at the beginning, and so young, and I was just exploring.”
Anderson continued, “I showed up and hit my mark and learned my lines and was pulled into this vortex of this hit show. It was my first professional, proper gig, and it was a cannon of sorts.”
Regarding her iconic character, Scully, she shared, “The character that Chris Carter created, one didn’t see her often on television at that time. So to be a part of that was incredibly empowering for me and extraordinary to be a part of both a character and a series that was so iconic and game-changing.”
The Cast Was Announced In Early 2026
Award-winning actress Danielle Deadwyler was cast as one of the co-leads in Coogler’s “X-Files” reboot in February 2026. After that, in March, according to Deadline, Himesh Patel was also cast as one of the leads.
The series comes from Onyx Collective and 20th Television, and Jennifer Yale will serve as showrunner. Deadwyler and Patel will play brand-new characters in the rebooted series if Hulu orders more episodes beyond the pilot. Yale will also executive produce, as will original “X-Files” creator Chris Carter.
Ryan Coogler Discussed The Show In 2025
While promoting “Sinners” in 2025, Coogler appeared on “The Last Podcast on the Left,” sharing that he’d grown up as a fan of “The X-Files.” He said about the ongoing process behind the show, “I’ve been excited about that for a long time, and I’m fired up to get back to it.”
He then said, “Some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really f-cking scary.”
