The X-Files (Reboot)

The X-Files is an American science fiction horror drama television series reboot of the original show originally created by Chris Carter. Developed by J. J. Abrams (co-creator of Lost) in collaboration with noted screenwriter Joss Whedon (director of the Avengers franchise, creator of Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and David S. Goyer (writer to all of Nolan's Batman films), the series serves as a reboot of the X-Files media franchise.

The program originally aired from September 10, 2010 to May 19, 2020 on HBO, spanning ten seasons and 303 episodes. The series revolves around FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Dana Scully (Karen Gillan) investigating X-Files: marginalized, unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder believes in the existence of aliens and the paranormal while Scully, a skeptic and atheist5, is assigned to make scientific analyses of Mulder's discoveries to debunk his work and thus return him to mainstream cases. Early in the series, both agents become pawns in a larger conflict and come to trust only each other. They develop a close relationship, which begins as a platonic friendship, but becomes a romance by series end. In addition to the series-spanning story arc, "Monster-of-the-Week" episodes form roughly two-thirds of the episodes. Such stand-alone episodes enrich the show's background while not affecting its ongoing mythology.

The X-Files was a hit for the HBO network and received largely critical acclaim, although its long-term story arc was criticized near the conclusion. Initially considered a cult show, it turned into a pop culture touchstone that tapped into public mistrust of governments and large institutions and embraced conspiracy theories and spirituality. Both the show itself and lead actors Downey, Jr. and Gillan received multiple awards and nominations, and by the end it was the longest-running science fiction series in U.S. television history. The series also spawned a franchise which includes The Lone Gunmen spin-off, a theatrical film and accompanying merchandise.

The X-Files premiered with a two-and-a-half hour pilot on HBO on October 26, 2010; it was positively received by critics; subsequent episodes have also received critical acclaim as well. USA Network executives have confirmed that the first season of The X-Files will be 50 episodes long.

Cast and Characters
Main Characters
 * Robert Downey, Jr. as Fox Smulder: (seasons 1–10, main). Mulder is an FBI special agent who believes in the existence of extraterrestrials and a government conspiracy to hide the truth regarding them. He works in the X-Files office, which is concerned with cases marked as unsolvable; most involve supernatural/mysterious circumstances. Mulder considers the X-Files so important that he has made their study his life's main purpose. After his abduction by aliens at the end of season seven, his role in the show diminished and much of his work is taken on by Agent John Doggett. He appeared in an episode of The Lone Gunmen and both the 1998 film The X-Files: The Truth is Out There.


 * Karen Gillan as Dana Scully: (seasons 1–10, main). Scully is an FBI special agent, medical doctor and scientist who is Mulder's partner. In contrast to his credulity, Scully is a skeptic, basing her beliefs on scientific explanations. As the series progresses, she becomes more open to the possibility of paranormal happenings. In the latter part of the eighth season, her position in the X-Files office is taken by Agent Monica Reyes, and Scully moves to Quantico to teach new FBI agents. She appeared in both The X-Files feature films.
 * Clark Gregg as Walter Skinner: (seasons 1–8, recurring; season 9, main). Skinner is an FBI assistant director who served in the United States Marine Corps in the Iraq War. During this time he shot and killed a young boy carrying explosives, an incident which scarred him for life. Skinner is originally Mulder and Scully's direct supervisor. He later serves the same position for Doggett and Reyes. Although he is originally portrayed as somewhat malevolent, he eventually becomes a close friend of Mulder and Scully. He appeared in an episode of The Lone Gunmen and The X-Files feature film.
 * Hugh Jackman as John Doggett: (seasons 8–9, main). Doggett is an FBI special agent who makes his first appearance in the season eight episode "Within". Doggett served in the United States Marine Corps from the 1980s to the 1990s. Later, he started to work with the New York Police Department, reaching the rank of detective. After his son's death, he joined the FBI's Criminal Investigations Division. In 2000, Alvin Kersh assigned him to the X-Files office as Scully's partner after an unsuccessful task force attempt to find Mulder. He appear in The X-Files feature films.
 * Morena baccarin as Monica Reyes: (season 8, recurring; season 9, main). Reyes is an FBI special agent who was born and raised in Mexico City. She majored in folklore and mythology at Brown University and earned a master's degree in religious studies. Her first FBI assignment was serving on a special task force investigating satanic rituals. She is a longtime friend of Doggett's and becomes his partner after Scully's departure. Reyes was last seen in the New Mexico desert in 2002, where she warns Mulder and Scully of the arrival of Knowle Rohrer. She appears in The X-Files feature film.
 * Angus Scrimm as The Smoking Man: (seasons 1–7, 9, recurring). The Smoking Man is the series' primary villain. In the seventh season episode "Requiem", The Smoking Man is believed to be killed after being pushed down a flight of stairs by Alex Krycek until the series finale "The Truth", where Mulder and Scully travel through remote New Mexico and reach a pueblo where a "wise man" reputedly lives and is revealed to be the Smoking Man. The Smoking Man is later killed by a rocket shot from a helicopter. He appears in the 2021 feature film.