"The truth is out there" on whether The X-Files can make yet another comeback with Mulder and Scully, and it's a truth that fans may have a hard time accepting. The iconic sci-fi series on Fox ended its original run over 20 years ago, but The X-Files universe has continued to grow over the past two decades through a handful of TV and film revivals. Naturally, fans might be wondering if Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) will return once more for another round of government conspiracies and alien abductions.
The X-Files series creator Chris Carter didn't completely shut down the notion of the show returning in some form during a 2020 Danish podcast interview, but he did it "we certainly couldn't do Mulder and Scully again" because "Gillian has decided to move on with her career." It’s too bad Gillian Anderson has moved on from FBI Special Agent Dana Scully, but she certainly has her reasons. Meanwhile, David Duchovny stated in a recent interview with Yahoo! Entertainment that he's "always up for more" of The X-Files.
Why Gillian Anderson Won't Return To The X-Files
Gillian Anderson has "moved on with her career" in emphatic, literally award-winning fashion. Anderson has maintained a busy schedule since The X-Files' first run ended in 2002, and just some of her TV work in recent years include Peep Show revival. It’s especially dubious in this case because The X-Files had increasingly diminishing results even during its original run.
There are plenty of other reasons for Gillian Anderson to forgo her role as Scully. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson might be good friends now, but their onscreen chemistry during the first iteration of The X-Files belied a somewhat contentious behind-the-scenes relationship. Furthermore, Anderson stated during a 2021 THR Roundtable Discussion that she experienced “a good couple of mini breakdowns” while working on The X-Files, and she expressed disappointment in the show's working environment in a 2022 Variety interview due to its lack of gender-neutrality and equality. There’s just too much negative residual history.
Can Mulder Return Without Scully?
That leaves David Duchovny's Fox Mulder in a tough position. Duchovny's ion and willingness to return to his most famous role are irable, but history has already shown what happens when The X-Files is without one of its dynamic duo. Duchovny temporarily said farewell to Mulder and his confusing family tree after season 7, and the end result was predictably disastrous. The X-Files simply doesn't work without both Mulder and Scully, so it would be a mistake to try a revival without Gillian Anderson's Scully.
At the very least, it was confirmed in 2020 that Chris Carter is working on an animated spinoff series based on The X-Files. That’s something for fans to look forward to. As for a live-action reunion between Mulder and Scully, that seems as farfetched as The X-Files’ long-term story arc.