Ryan Coogler’s reboot of “The X-Files” has received a pilot order from Hulu, with Danielle Deadwyler (“Till,” “The Piano Lesson”) cast in a lead role, according to multiple reports confirmed by TheWrap.
Coogler, known for directing “Black Panther” and “Judas and the Black Messiah,” will write and direct the pilot episode. The project falls under the Onyx Collective banner, a Disney-owned production company focused on content by creators of color.
The latest iteration of the sci-fi franchise centers on two FBI agents – described as “highly decorated but vastly different” – who are assigned to a previously inactive division dedicated to investigating unexplained phenomena. The logline suggests a focus on cases involving the paranormal and the mysterious, hallmarks of the original series.
Chris Carter, the creator of the original “The X-Files,” gave Coogler his blessing to proceed with the reboot in February 2024, stating he would serve as a “cheerleader” for the project but would not be directly involved in its production. “They are free to do with it what they believe,” Carter told TheWrap at the time. “I’m honored that they came to me and asked me, not for my permission, but my blessing.”
The original “X-Files” series, starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, captivated audiences from 1993 to 2002 on Fox. The show spawned two subsequent revival seasons in 2016 and 2018, as well as two feature films released in 1998, and 2008. Both Anderson and Duchovny reprised their roles for these later installments.
Anderson, who previously expressed reluctance to revisit the role of Special Agent Dana Scully, indicated in April 2024 that she would be open to a potential cameo appearance in the reboot, particularly if it offered an opportunity to collaborate with Coogler. “I’m not saying no,” Anderson told “Today” host Savannah Guthrie. “Maybe I’ll pop in for a little something, something.” She noted a shift in her stance, acknowledging that past interviews consistently yielded a firm “Nope, not going to happen.”
The pilot order marks a significant step forward for the reboot, which has been in development for approximately three years, stemming from a five-year exclusive television deal between Coogler and Disney. Jennifer Yale (“The Copenhagen Test”) will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Francine Maisler, a casting director known for her work on Coogler’s film “Sinners,” is handling casting for the pilot.
