Ryan Coogler’s ‘The X-Files’ Reboot Picked Up for Series at Hulu
While the ’90s produced many television shows now considered pivotal, few were as influential or as enduring as The X-Files. Created by Chris Carter, the series starred David Duchovny as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson as Dr. Dana Scully, a skeptic assigned to debunk his work on the bureau’s so-called “X-Files,” cases involving unexplained and often paranormal phenomena. The series helped redefine genre television, proving that ambitious serialized storytelling could thrive on primetime.
Now, more than three decades after the original series debuted, The X-Files is officially heading back to the small screen. After a three-year journey to bring the reboot to life, Ryan Coogler‘s reimagining has been picked up to series by Hulu, following a pilot order earlier this year.
The new series will star Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel as two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents who form an unlikely bond after being assigned to a long-shuttered division investigating unexplained phenomena. Rather than stepping into Mulder and Scully’s shoes, the pair will play entirely new characters.
In addition to the leads, Coogler has snagged quite a supporting cast, adding eight notable names to the project. According to Deadline, Oscar winner Amy Madigan, Steve Buscemi, Ben Foster, Devery Jacobs, Lochlyn Munro, Tantoo Cardinal, Joel D. Montgrand, and Sofia Grace Clifton will join the reboot.
Coogler, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Sinners, wrote, directed, and executive produced the pilot and will continue as an executive producer alongside showrunner Jennifer Yale.
Here is everything we know about the upcoming The X-Files reboot, including what it will be about, who will star, and what to expect.
When will The X-Files reboot premiere?
Ryan Coogler‘s long-awaited The X-Files reboot has just received a pickup to series at Hulu. No date has been set as of yet. Please check back here for updates.
Who will star in The X-Files reboot?
Danielle Deadwyler is set to co-lead the project, portraying one of two highly decorated yet markedly different FBI agents. Deadline broke the news in February 2026.
In March, it was announced that Himesh Patel was cast opposite Deadwyler as one of the two FBI agents assigned to the once-folded division of the bureau.
On May 11, Coogler revealed he cast eight stars in guest roles, including recent Weapons Best Supporting Actress winner Amy Madigan, Steve Buscemi, Ben Foster, Devery Jacobs, Lochlyn Munro, Tantoo Cardinal, Joel D. Montgrad, and Sofia Grace Clifton.
In addition to the high-profile names joining the cast list, Coogler has reportedly set his sights high when it comes to rounding out the ensemble. On The Last Podcast on the Left, the director stated that he had “spoken to the great Gillian Anderson” about the series. “She’s incredible. Fingers crossed there,” said Coogler.
What is The X-Files reboot about?
The official logline describes the reboot as follows: “Two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents (Deadwyler, Patel) form an unlikely bond when they are assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena.”
Debuting on Fox in 1993, the original The X-Files introduced audiences to FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully (Duchovny and Anderson), who were assigned to investigate the bureau’s strangest unsolved cases. Created by Chris Carter, the series blended science fiction, horror, and conspiracy thriller elements as Mulder chased the truth about extraterrestrials and hidden government agendas, while Scully applied scientific skepticism to each increasingly bizarre case.
Fox Network. All rights reserved. / Courtesy Everett Collection
The show ran for nine seasons, became a cultural phenomenon, and expanded beyond television with two theatrical films, 1998’s The X-Files and 2008’s The X-Files: I Want to Believe. More than a decade later, the franchise returned to Fox with a revival that ran for two additional seasons beginning in 2016.
Carter will be involved in the new series, but the extent is unknown at this time. “I just spoke to a young man, Ryan Coogler, who is going to remount The X-Files with a diverse cast. So, he’s got his work cut out for him because we covered so much territory,” Carter said on the CBC podcast On the Coast with Gloria Macarenko back in 2023.
Who is behind The X-Files reboot?
According to Deadline, Coogler will write and direct the pilot for the new X-Files.
The publication also stated that Jennifer Yale will executive produce alongside original The X-Files creator Carter, as well as Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Zinzi Coogler of Proximity Media. The company’s Simone Harris is a co-executive producer. The pilot is being cast by Sinners’ casting director Francine Maisler.
Is there a trailer for The X-Files reboot?
Not at the time, but please check back!
Conversation19 Comments
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P
It wouldn't be X files without Fox Mulder, and Dana Scully Fox and Dana made the X-Files
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Y
Cant he give it a different name before he completley ignore the original like they did with Sinners (Dusk till dawn).
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A
Im so sick of this.
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Q
it's too bad he can't come up with his own ideas.
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L
He has come up with his own idea. Didn't you see? It has a diverse cast! Who needs great stories when you can just have diversity? It's working for Starfleet Academy.
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N
LOL.. no.
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G
Have them go through an interdimensional rip in space and time and come out as two different characters, Sculdar and Mully.
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M
Looking forward to it. My favorite show of all time. Hope stories are as good as the original.
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L
There's probably a much smaller audience for this than they assume.
The original series wasn't successful just because of the weird stories but the on-screen chemistry of the main actors, ie, Duchovny and Anderson, as demonstrated by the drop in viewers after Duchovny left the show.
This reboot is going to be as successful as all the recent Star Trek series. Audiences are sick of the shows and movies designed entirely around "diversity"....
Another franchise that's going to get destroyed, just as all the others have.
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P
Won’t be The Xfiles without them
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N
How many times are the going to resurrect this show? Good grief.
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R
I'm sure this will be great. I always wanted the story to continue and Danielle is an amazing actress. Looking forward to seeing what Ryan does with it and cameo appearances from some of the original cast members as well. The aliens visiting will finally be seeing a more accurate depiction of the planet Earth, where whites are actually the minorities.
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R
I don't recall Dusk Til Dawn winning any Oscars.
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J
Considering all of the current interest in UAPs and the government releasing videos, it seem the right time to create a new X-File series. I would prefer the original main actors. they are still alive and kicking.
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P
Can’t wait!!
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D
Don't like it !
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N
I never finished Season 11 because the show was getting too silly and too complicated. Probably give this attempt a miss too,
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G
....that's an episode right there, Jerry!
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R
It's not a reboot, it's a continuation , cameos of Fox and Dana will be possible
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