Hulu’s reboot of The X-Files has added its second co-lead.
Himesh Patel, known for The Franchise and Yesterday, will star in the revival from writer-director Ryan Coogler. He joins Danielle Deadwyler, who was previously announced for the project.
Both actors will play FBI agents assigned to investigate paranormal activity.
New Characters, Not Familiar Faces
Patel and Deadwyler are not stepping into the roles of Fox Mulder or Dana Scully. Instead, the reboot introduces entirely new characters.
Original series star Gillian Anderson has hinted at a possible return. She confirmed she has read Coogler’s script and told a reporter, “Have an open mind and give it a chance because it’s going to be fucking cool.”
A Fresh Take on the Premise
The official logline states: “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.”
The premise echoes the original series but takes a different approach.
The original X-Files debuted on Fox in 1993. It ran for nine seasons and produced two feature films. The story began with Agent Dana Scully, played by Gillian Anderson, joining the paranormal division to apply scientific skepticism to Agent Fox Mulder’s investigations.
Creative Team Behind the Reboot
Ryan Coogler will write and direct the pilot, which Hulu has already greenlit.
Jennifer Yale, known for See and The Copenhagen Test, will serve as showrunner.
Chris Carter, creator of the original series, returns as a non-writing executive producer.
Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler will also executive produce through Proximity Media. Simone Harris will serve as co-executive producer.
