Gillian Anderson Leaving ‘The X-Files’ After Season 11?
We were surprised enough FOX managed to resurrect The X-Files once (let alone twice), but one had to wonder when David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson might call it quits. That day may finally have come, as Anderson says Season 11 is the last we’ll see of Dana Scully.
Even as the iconic character took center stage in the first formal Season 11 trailer, Anderson minced few words about her future with the franchise during Sunday’s New York Comic-Con. “No, no, I think this will be it for me,” Anderson said of a possible Season 12, though she admitted to not expecting an eleventh season return either. At the very least, Anderson wanted Season 11 to provide a better send-off for her character than the prior revival.
Asked if she’d miss playing Dana Scully, the X-Files star offered (h/t Screen Rant):
I don’t know. You may need to talk to me in a few years about that once I finally shut the door. You know, there’s always been this ‘maybe one more’ thing hanging over, but when the door is finally shut, call me up and ask me that question again.
A FOX representative also reached out to specify Anderson “has not commented on returning as it’s premature in that she is currently filming the new event series.” It shouldn’t surprise that Anderson is at least hinting at a final chapter for Dana Scully, given the actress’ otherwise-busy schedule and the fact that a second revival coalesced at all.
We also know FOX has thought about life for The X-Files beyond Mulder and Scully, but will the franchise have more luck than FOX’s 24: Legacy? Is there no X-Files without Gillian Anderson?