Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel headline Ryan Coogler's rebooted 'The X Files'

Reel Perspectives

March 29, 2026

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Fresh off his historic Oscar wins for Sinners, filmmaker Ryan Coogler is diving headfirst into one of television’s most legendary franchises, and he’s not playing it safe.

Coogler’s reboot of The X-Files isn’t just a revival. It’s a reimagining, built for a world that will most likely feel more paranoid, more connected, and more mysterious than ever. And he’s bringing serious talent with him.

Leading the new era past Mulder and Scully, originally played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, are Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel, two performers known for emotionally rich, layered performances. Deadwyler is best known for Till and The Piano Lesson, while Patel is known for Eastenders and Station Eleven.  

Hulu has officially ordered the pilot, and the new reboot will see both leads leading different characters from their predecessors within the FBI department tasked with investigating paranormal activity. According to initial reports, it’s not just about chasing aliens or decoding conspiracies, it’s about the people caught in the middle.

The original The X-Files, created by Chris Carter, became a cultural phenomenon by blending government conspiracy and paranormal horror. Coogler’s version is expected to retain the same DNA but be updated with a sharper, more modern lens.

Chris Carter will executive produce along with new showrunner Jennifer Yale. The X-Files originally ran on Fox from September 1993 to May 2002, with two revival movies after its run.