Gillian Anderson praises Ryan Coogler as perfect lead for X‑Files reboot

Actress Gillian Anderson said the pilot script for the planned Hulu reboot of The X‑Files is “brilliant” and called director‑writer Ryan Coogler the “perfect person” to helm the series. Anderson, who starred as FBI Agent Dana Scully in the original show, read Coogler’s script and was impressed by how it feels both different and quintessentially X‑Files. She declined to confirm whether she will appear in the new series, remaining coy about a possible cameo.

The pilot, written and directed by Coogler, has already been filmed in Vancouver and features new leads Himesh Patel and Danielle Deadwyler as FBI agents investigating unexplained phenomena. Hulu ordered the pilot in February 2026 after Coogler’s success with the film Sinners, and the project is being positioned as a fresh era for the franchise while aiming to attract both longtime fans and new viewers.