The truth is officially out there again. After years of speculation and waiting, the planned reboot of the classic sci-fi series The X-Files has taken a major step forward. Ryan Coogler, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Black Panther and the Oscar-nominated Sinners, is moving ahead with his vision for the paranormal drama. Hulu has officially given a pilot order to the project, and it has found its first lead star in Danielle Deadwyler.
The actress, known for her powerful performances in Till and The Piano Lesson, is set to play one of the two FBI agents at the center of the new series. This news confirms that the long-gestating reboot is finally becoming a reality, with Coogler writing and directing the pilot episode .
Danielle Deadwyler Lands Coveted Role as New FBI Agent
Danielle Deadwyler has been cast as the co-lead in Ryan Coogler’s upcoming The X-Files reboot. The 43-year-old actress joins the project at a time when her career is reaching new heights, following her SAG Award-nominated role in The Piano Lesson and her critically acclaimed performance in Till .
While the official logline confirms she will play one half of the lead detective duo, it has not been specified whether her character will take on the role of a believer like Fox Mulder or a skeptic like Dana Scully. Her casting brings significant dramatic weight to the series, as Deadwyler has consistently delivered powerful performances across film and television .
The search is still ongoing for the actor who will play the second lead agent. The chemistry between the two leads was a defining element of the original series, and the casting for this second role will be crucial for the reboot’s success .
Ryan Coogler to Write and Direct Pilot Episode
Ryan Coogler is not just producing the reboot; he is personally writing and directing the pilot episode. This commitment shows how personal this project is for the filmmaker. Coogler has been open about his love for the original series, sharing that he used to watch it with his mother .
“It’s one of the most beautiful American television shows ever made,” Coogler said about The X-Files. He has also promised that the new version will honor what made the original great while bringing something fresh for a new generation .
The pilot order comes after a three-year development journey under Coogler’s five-year exclusive television deal with Disney, which owns Hulu, 20th Television, and Onyx Collective . With his latest film Sinners making history with 16 Oscar nominations and becoming the highest-grossing original feature to date, Coogler brings tremendous momentum to the project .
Jennifer Yale Joins as Showrunner
Jennifer Yale has come on board as showrunner for The X-Files reboot. Yale brings strong genre credentials to the series, having worked as a writer and executive producer on Apple TV’s See and Netflix’s Chambers. She most recently co-showran The Copenhagen Test for Peacock .
Yale will work alongside Coogler to develop the series and oversee the writing room if the pilot moves forward to a full series order. Her experience with complex, character-driven storytelling makes her a fitting choice to help shape this new version of the beloved franchise.
Chris Carter Returns as Executive Producer
Original series creator Chris Carter is attached as a non-writing executive producer on the reboot. Carter first revealed in 2023 that he had spoken with Coogler, who was planning to “remount The X Files with a diverse cast” .
At the time, Carter acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying Coogler “has got his work cut out for him because we covered so much territory.” Despite stepping back from daily creative involvement, Carter’s blessing and participation signal continuity with the original series that fans have loved for decades .
The reboot also brings together Coogler’s production company Proximity Media partners Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler as executive producers. Simone Harris serves as a co-executive producer. The pilot casting is being handled by Francine Maisler, who worked on Coogler’s Sinners .
What the New ‘X-Files’ Will Be About
The official logline for the reboot reads: “Two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents form an unlikely bond when they are assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena” .
This description clearly echoes the premise of the original series while establishing a fresh start. In the 1990s version, Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) was assigned to the paranormal division to apply scientific reasoning and debunk the work of true believer Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny). Their clash of worldviews and growing trust became the heart of the show .
The new series will feature both standalone “monster of the week” episodes and an overarching mythology, staying true to the format that made the original so successful . Coogler has promised that if they do their jobs right, some episodes “will be really f*cking scary” .
Gillian Anderson Open to Return, David Duchovny Wishes Them Luck
Fans have been wondering whether original stars Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny might appear in the new series. Anderson has confirmed that she spoke with Coogler about the reboot and is open to returning under the right circumstances.
“I spoke to him, and what I said was, ‘If anyone were to do it, I think you are the perfect person, and best of luck,” Anderson shared during an appearance on ITV1’s This Morning. She added, “At some point, if the phone rings and it’s good and it feels like the right time, perhaps,” and even told Coogler to “Call me” .
Duchovny has been more reserved in his comments, briefly telling Screen Rant, “I don’t really have any thoughts on itโฆ I wish them luck” . Neither actor has been confirmed for any role in the reboot, but Anderson’s willingness to engage leaves the door open for possible appearances.
The Long Road to Development
The journey to this pilot order has taken several years. Coogler first expressed interest in reviving The X-Files around 2020, and by 2023, news emerged that he was developing a new take on the series. He confirmed his involvement during a podcast appearance in April 2025, sharing his excitement and vision for the project .
“I’ve been excited about that for a long time, and I’m fired up to get back to it,” Coogler said at the time. He also emphasized his respect for longtime fans, stating, “We’re gonna try to make something really great and really be something for the real X-Files fans, and maybe find some new ones” .
The project gained momentum after Coogler finished work on Sinners, allowing him to make The X-Files a priority. Over the past few months, development accelerated, leading to the pilot order and the hiring of Jennifer Yale as showrunner .
A Legacy of Paranormal Investigation
The original The X-Files premiered on Fox in 1993 and ran for nine seasons, becoming a cultural phenomenon. It spawned two feature filmsโThe X-Files (1998) and The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008)โas well as a two-season revival in 2016 .
The series was known for its blend of standalone horror episodes and a complex mythology involving government conspiracy, aliens, and secret plots. It launched the careers of Anderson and Duchovny and served as a training ground for future prestige TV creators like Vince Gilligan, who went on to create Breaking Bad .
The show’s themes of distrust in government institutions and the search for hidden truths remain relevant today, especially amid renewed public interest in Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) and congressional hearings on the topic .
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What Comes Next
With the pilot order now official, production can move forward on casting the second lead role and assembling the creative team. Filming dates have not been announced, and no release schedule has been set. If the pilot is successful, Hulu will likely order a full season of episodes .
The series will be produced by Onyx Collective and 20th Television, both under the Disney umbrella. This gives the reboot access to significant resources and distribution through Hulu, which is available in the U.S. and through Disney+ internationally in many regions .
For global audiences, the series is expected to stream on Hulu in the United States. International viewers will likely find the show on Disney+ through the Star content hub, though official streaming details have not been confirmed for regions including the UK, Canada, Australia, and India.
The return of The X-Files represents one of the most anticipated reboots in recent years. With a visionary filmmaker at the helm, a powerful lead actress, and the blessing of the original creator, this new chapter aims to honor the legacy while charting its own path into the unknown.
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