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Gillian Anderson just gave Ryan Coogler’s X-Files reboot a major vote of confidence. The original star of the iconic series read the pilot script and declared it both ‘special’ and ‘different’, urging fans to embrace the fresh take on the paranormal investigation classic.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Anderson’s Reaction: She praised the pilot as ‘really good’ and called the reboot ‘f—ing cool’
- Hulu’s Involvement: The streaming service officially greenlighted a pilot order in February 2026
- New Cast: Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel star as two decorated FBI agents
- Coogler’s Vision: The Oscar-winning director promises the series will be ‘really f—ing scary’ if executed right
Anderson Speaks at Awesome Con on the Reboot
During an appearance at Awesome Con in Washington, D.C. on March 15, Anderson sat down with interviewer Dory Jackson to discuss the upcoming reboot. She revealed she had ‘a few conversations’ with Coogler about the project. ‘He’s such a cool guy and so talented,’ she gushed about the Black Panther and Sinners filmmaker.
Anderson added that the pilot script is really good. Most importantly, she urged fans worried about the reboot to give it a genuine chance. ‘Have an open mind and give it a chance because it’s gonna be f—ing cool,’ she said, emphasizing that the new vision respects the original while offering something entirely fresh.
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Gillian Anderson teases Ryan Coogler’s X-Files reboot as ‘special’ and ‘different’
What Makes This Reboot Different and Special
Anderson emphasized the word ‘different’ multiple times when describing Coogler’s approach. She stressed that fans should ‘give it a break’ because the reboot represents a fundamentally new direction while honoring the franchise’s legacy. The fact that original X-Files star Scully’s actress is enthusiastically endorsing the project suggests Coogler struck the right balance between innovation and respect.
The reboot will follow two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents who form an unlikely bond when assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena. This premise differs significantly from the original Mulder and Scully dynamic, offering fresh storylines while maintaining the iconic X-Files paranormal investigation format.
Production Details and Cast
| Element | Information |
| Platform | Hulu |
| Creator | Ryan Coogler (writer, director) |
| Lead Cast | Danielle Deadwyler, Himesh Patel |
| Showrunner | Jennifer Yale (The Copenhagen Test) |
| Filming Location | Vancouver, May 2026 |
Danielle Deadwyler, known for The Woman in the Yard, leads the female FBI agent role, while Himesh Patel, famous for Yesterday, plays her partner. Jennifer Yale serves as showrunner alongside Coogler as executive producer. Filming on the pilot is expected to begin in May 2026 in Vancouver.
‘I would say, have an open mind and give it a chance because it’s gonna be f—ing cool. It’s something different. It’s different, and it’s special, so give it a break.’
— Gillian Anderson, Original X-Files Star
Coogler’s Passion for the Project
Ryan Coogler has been enthusiastic about The X-Files reboot since revealing it as his next project after winning four Academy Awards for Sinners at the 98th Oscars in March 2026. ‘I’ve been excited about that for a long time, and I’m fired up to get back to it,’ he told the Last Podcast on the Left hosts. ‘Some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really f—ing scary.’
Coogler has personal stakes in getting this right. ‘My mom means the world to me,’ he explained, noting that he watched the original X-Files series with his mother growing up. ‘I want to do right by her and the fans.’ He confirmed his mother has even read portions of his script work for the reboot and ‘is fired up’ about it.
Will the Original Stars Return?
Anderson’s involvement in the reboot remains uncertain, though her enthusiasm is undeniable. Coogler told Last Podcast on the Left that he’s ‘fingers crossed’ regarding Anderson’s potential return. She previously declared that Coogler was ‘the perfect person’ to reboot the series and said ‘if the phone rings and it’s good and it feels like the right time, perhaps’ she would consider returning.
As for original co-star David Duchovny, there has been no public indication of his involvement. The reboot appears designed to launch entirely new characters rather than reviving Mulder and Scully. This creative direction may be exactly what makes Coogler’s vision feel ‘different’ and ‘special’ in Anderson’s estimation.
