Gillian Anderson Just Gave Ryan Coogler’s ‘X-Files’ Reboot the Ultimate Seal of Approval

Reboots of beloved sci-fi shows tend to live or die by one thing: whether the people who made the original still believe in the new version. Fans have learned to be skeptical of vague, diplomatic praise from cast members who are contractually obligated to say nice things.

That’s part of why Gillian Anderson’s latest comments about Ryan Coogler’s ‘X-Files‘ reboot are generating so much buzz. The actor, who originated the role of FBI Agent Dana Scully more than three decades ago, has been dropping hints about the project for months, but her newest remarks go further than anything she’s said before.

Anderson has now called the reboot’s pilot script “brilliant,” praising both its faithfulness to the original series and its willingness to do something new. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight about the project, she left little doubt about her confidence in Coogler’s vision for the franchise’s next chapter.

“I cannot wait to see it ’cause I think that he’s extraordinary,” Anderson said of Coogler in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “And I’ve read the script that he wrote and it’s brilliant. I was impressed by how different and yet how quintessentially [X-Files] it was.”

That endorsement carries weight given how protective ‘X-Files’ fans have historically been of the franchise. Anderson starred opposite David Duchovny in the original series, created by Chris Carter, which ran for nine seasons before returning for two additional revival runs.

Coogler will write, direct, and executive produce the new pilot, with Jennifer Yale serving as showrunner and executive producer. The upcoming series will star Himesh Patel and Danielle Deadwyler as a new pair of FBI agents, and the pilot has already wrapped filming in Vancouver, echoing the original show’s 1990s production home base.

Anderson’s comments this week build on months of increasingly warm signals about the project. Earlier this year, she praised Coogler’s script as “really good” and “something different” while speaking at Awesome Con, though she stopped short of the word “brilliant” until now.

She has also remained coy but hopeful about whether she might personally step back into Scully’s shoes for the new series. While she has stayed cagey on specifics, Anderson has repeatedly signaled that she would be open to some form of involvement if the timing and role felt right.

Coogler, for his part, has spoken about wanting the reboot to honor longtime fans while also bringing in new viewers. Last year, he confirmed to Variety that he had spoken directly with Anderson about the project and expressed hope that she would eventually be part of it.

Duchovny has also weighed in on the reboot, telling The Hollywood Reporter in April that while he has not yet read the pilot script himself, there have been talks about a possible cameo appearance. That leaves the door open for both original leads to potentially cross paths with the new generation of agents.

The reboot arrives at a moment when Coogler’s stock in Hollywood has never been higher. His most recent film, the vampire epic ‘Sinners,’ earned widespread critical acclaim and box office success, adding to the anticipation surrounding his take on the paranormal FBI drama. Anderson has separately credited Coogler’s deep familiarity with the source material as a reason for her confidence in the project.

Anderson also used her recent comments to gently manage expectations, encouraging longtime viewers to stay open-minded rather than assume the new series will simply retread old ground. Her praise suggests the pilot leans into fresh storytelling choices while still carrying the tone that made the original show a cultural touchstone in the 1990s.

With Coogler fresh off directing ‘Sinners,’ expectations for his take on ‘X-Files’ have only grown, and Anderson’s ringing endorsement of the pilot script gives fans another reason to be optimistic.

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