The X-Files universe is preparing to return to the small screen. Hulu has closed the deal to produce the first season of a reboot of the legendary science fiction series, a project that has been in development for some time by Ryan Coogler, the director of Sinners.
The news is significant now because it confirms that the revival of the series, which for months had been just a rumor and a personal project of the filmmaker, finally has a platform, a main cast, and a defined creative team.
New leads for a renewed story
The focus of the plot will no longer be on the historic Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Instead, the series will follow two new FBI agents played by Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel.
According to the available information, both characters will be assigned to an FBI division that was closed long ago: the office in charge of investigating paranormal phenomena and unexplained cases, the original essence of the secret files.
Deadwyler's name had been rumored for months as the favorite to lead the project, so her confirmation did not come as a surprise. The addition of Himesh Patel, although previously announced, generated more anticipation as he is an actor with a different profile than what is usually associated with this type of fiction.
Will Duchovny and Anderson return?
One of the big questions that remains is whether David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, the actors who brought Mulder and Scully to life in the original series, will have any participation in this reboot.
For the moment, no one linked to the production has commented on the matter, neither confirming nor ruling out their return in any format, so that question remains open.
Ryan Coogler’s role in the project
Although Coogler personally wrote and directed the pilot episode with which this reboot project was presented, his final involvement in the series will be as an executive producer, not as the director of the episodes that make up the season.
The role of showrunner will fall to Jennifer Yale, a writer and producer who previously worked on series such as See and Outsiders. She will be in charge of shaping the narrative development of the entire season.
A childhood passion for Coogler
Coogler's interest in The X-Files is not new. The director has explained in previous statements that it is a series he has been passionate about since he was young, and he has hinted that the reboot will seek to maintain mysteries in each episode along with a grand conspiracy that runs through the entire season, in the style of the original series.
That original series, which aired for eleven seasons and had two film adaptations, offers Coogler and his team a huge amount of material and ideas to draw inspiration from for this new stage.
What remains to be known
With the deal with Hulu now closed, the next logical step will be the confirmation of filming dates and, eventually, the premiere, although a specific calendar has not yet been provided.
It has also not been detailed whether the reboot will maintain a direct connection to the mythology and events of the original series, beyond the change of leads and the reuse of the concept of the FBI's secret files office.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the director behind The X-Files reboot?
Ryan Coogler, known for directing Sinners, is the driving force behind the project. He wrote and directed the pilot, although he will be listed as an executive producer on the final series.
Who will be the stars of the new The X-Files?
Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel will play the new FBI agents assigned to the division in charge of investigating paranormal phenomena.
Will David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson appear in the reboot?
For now, there is no official confirmation or denial regarding their possible return to the roles of Mulder and Scully.
Who is the showrunner of the series?
Jennifer Yale, who previously worked on productions such as See and Outsiders, will be in charge of directing the narrative development of the season.
On which platform will The X-Files reboot premiere?
The first season will air on Hulu, the platform that has closed the deal for its production.
How many seasons did the original The X-Files series have?
The original series consisted of eleven seasons, in addition to two spin-off films from the franchise.
