The X-Files

The X-Files is an American science fiction drama television series created by Chris Carter. It first aired on September 10, 1993, and ran for nine seasons until May 19, 2002. The show returned for two more seasons in 2016 and 2018, and two movies were also made.

The story follows Federal Bureau of Investigation agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate unusual cases called "X-Files." These cases often involve strange and unexplained events. Mulder believes in the paranormal, while Scully uses science to explain what they find. Together, they uncover secrets that some people in power try to hide.

The X-Files was inspired by older television shows that told mysterious and spooky stories. It became very popular and is known for reflecting people's worries about big institutions and hidden plans. The series won many awards and nominations and remains one of the longest-running science fiction shows in American television history. It also created a larger world of shows, movies, and products.

Premise

The X-Files follows two FBI agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Mulder strongly believes in things that cannot be explained by science, like aliens and ghosts, because he thinks his sister was taken by aliens when he was young. Scully, a doctor, tries to explain everything with science and often disagrees with Mulder.

Together, they work on unsolved cases called the X-Files. Some episodes focus on mysterious events like ghosts or monsters, while others follow a big story about a secret government plan involving aliens. Over time, Mulder and Scully uncover clues about aliens planning to invade Earth, with some people in the government helping them. The agents often find themselves in danger as they try to reveal the truth.

Cast and characters

Main article: List of The X-Files characters

Starring

• Fox Mulder is portrayed by David Duchovny:
  Mulder is an Oxford-educated FBI Special Agent. He believes strongly in the idea that extraterrestrials exist and that a government conspiracy hides the truth about them. He works on special cases called the X-Files, which involve strange and mysterious events. After an experience with aliens, his role in the show changes and another agent takes over some of his work. He also appears in movies based on the show.

• Dana Scully is portrayed by Gillian Anderson:
  Scully is an FBI agent who is also a doctor and scientist. She often looks for scientific reasons for events, unlike Mulder. Over time, she becomes more open to ideas about unusual happenings. Later in the series, she leaves the X-Files to teach new FBI agents. She also appears in the movies.

• John Doggett is portrayed by Robert Patrick (seasons 8–9):
  Doggett is an FBI agent who joins the X-Files after Mulder’s disappearance. He previously served in the military and worked for the police in New York City. He works with Scully for a time before she leaves the X-Files.

• Monica Reyes is portrayed by Annabeth Gish (season 9; also starring season 8; guest seasons 10–11):
  Reyes is an FBI agent from Mexico City. She studied folklore and mythology and later joins the X-Files to work with Doggett after Scully leaves. She does not appear in the movies.

• Walter Skinner is portrayed by Mitch Pileggi (season 9–11; also starring seasons 3–8; recurring season 2; guest season 1):
  Skinner is an FBI supervisor who works with Mulder, Scully, Doggett, and Reyes. He was a soldier in the Vietnam War and has a complicated past. Over time, he becomes a trusted friend to Mulder and Scully. He also appears in the movies.

Also starring

• Cigarette Smoking Man is portrayed by William B. Davis (seasons 4–7, 9; recurring seasons 1–3, 10–11):
  This character is one of the main antagonists in the series. There are hints that he may have a connection to Mulder. He appears in the original movie as well.

• Alex Krycek is portrayed by Nicholas Lea (seasons 5–9; recurring seasons 2–3; guest season 4):
  Krycek starts as an FBI agent working with Mulder but is later revealed to have different loyalties. His actions often create problems for Mulder and Scully.

• Jeffrey Spender is portrayed by Chris Owens (season 6; recurring season 5; guest seasons 9, 11):
  Spender takes over the X-Files while Mulder is away. He has a complicated family background and returns later in the series to help Scully.

• Alvin Kersh is portrayed by James Pickens Jr. (season 9; recurring seasons 6, 8; guest season 11):
  Kersh is a high-ranking FBI official who supervises Mulder and Scully at times. He often assigns them to less interesting tasks but later helps Mulder in a critical moment.

Production

Conception

Chris Carter, a writer from California, created The X-Files in the early 1990s. He was inspired by reports that millions of Americans believed they had been taken by aliens, real-life scandals, and old television shows. Carter wrote the first episode, called the "pilot," in 1992.

Fox network executives first said no to Carter's idea, but after he improved it, they agreed to make the pilot episode. Carter worked with other creators to develop the show further, using ideas from documentaries, British TV, and movies like The Silence of the Lambs. He wanted the two main characters, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, to have a friendly relationship without romance, inspired by characters from an old TV show called The Avengers.

Casting

David Duchovny played Fox Mulder from the start, and Gillian Anderson played Dana Scully for all seasons. Both actors auditioned and were chosen because they fit the roles well. Other actors joined the show later, like Robert Patrick, who took over Mulder's role after Duchovny left. The show also introduced new characters to keep things interesting.

Filming

The X-Files was first filmed in Vancouver, Canada, because it had the right forests for many scenes. Later, filming moved to Los Angeles, California, which brought changes to the show's look and where it was set. The show's music was composed by Mark Snow, who created memorable themes and scores for the episodes and movies.

Music

Mark Snow composed the music for The X-Files. He created the show's famous theme song using a special sound effect from a music tool. Snow also composed music for the X-Files movies, using real orchestral instruments for the first time.

Opening sequence

The opening credits of The X-Files were designed to grab viewers' attention with spooky images. The original sequence won an Emmy Award. When Duchovny left the show, the opening credits changed to show new characters and reflect Mulder's absence. Later seasons had different opening sequences to match the story changes.

Broadcast and release

Episodes

Main article: List of The X-Files episodes

Nielsen ratings

The first episode of The X-Files aired on September 10, 1993, and was watched by 12 million people. As the series continued, more viewers tuned in. By the end of the first season, 14 million people watched the final episode. The show became popular, especially among younger viewers, and it kept growing.

In later seasons, the show reached millions of viewers. Some episodes, like the one after the Super Bowl, had almost 30 million viewers. Even when viewership went down a bit, The X-Files remained one of Fox’s top shows. The series ran for many years and became one of the longest-running science fiction shows on TV.

Films

After the show became a hit, the creators made movies. The first film came out in 1998 and told a story that continued from the TV series. It was successful and made money worldwide. A second movie followed in 2008, but it did not do as well.

Revival

In 2016, The X-Files returned for new episodes on TV. It was popular again, and a year later, it came back for an eleventh season. However, the star of the show, Gillian Anderson, said that season 11 would be her last. The creator, Chris Carter, talked about possibly making more X-Files stories in the future, maybe with new characters.

Home media

The X-Files was released on VHS tapes starting in 1996. These tapes featured selected episodes from the first four seasons, with each set including six episodes chosen by the show's creator. Later, all nine seasons and two movies were released on DVD. The DVDs included extra features and collectibles.

In 2015, the full series was released on Blu-ray in high definition. However, some fans noticed small issues with the picture quality, which were later fixed by the studio.

Spin-offs

The Lone Gunmen

The Lone Gunmen was a fun science fiction show created by Chris Carter. It spun off from The X-Files and aired on Fox in 2001. The show followed a group of characters known as the Lone Gunmen. It started with many viewers but lost popularity and was canceled after only thirteen episodes.

Comic books

The X-Files stories were also told in comic books. These comics were written by different authors and explored the characters, big mysteries, and strange events. One comic even had The X-Files characters meeting characters from another story called 30 Days of Night. New comic series continued the adventures of the main characters after the TV show ended.

Canceled animated series

In 2020, Fox planned an animated version of The X-Files, but this idea was later canceled.

Ryan Coogler reboot

In 2023, filmmaker Ryan Coogler began working on a new version of The X-Files. In 2026, Hulu decided to make a pilot episode for this new series. It will feature two FBI agents solving mysterious and unusual cases. The original creator, Chris Carter, will help with the new show.

Reception

Critical reception

The X-Files was very well liked by television critics. Many called it one of the best shows that aired in the 1990s. Critics said it was a great show that many people loved to watch. Over time, its ratings kept getting better, and the way the main characters worked together became a model for many other TV shows.

Accolades

Main article: List of accolades received by The X-Files

The X-Files won many awards during its time on air. It received 62 Emmy Award nominations and won 16 of them. The show also won five Golden Globe Awards out of 12 nominations. Other awards included two SAG Awards, a Peabody Award, and several more nominations for different categories.

Influence

Fandom

As The X-Files grew from a small group of fans to a worldwide audience, the internet was becoming more popular. Fans, called "X-Philes," shared their thoughts on unofficial websites, joined online groups, and wrote their own stories. The show attracted viewers who weren’t usually fans of science fiction. While the creator said the show focused on the plot, many fans enjoyed the characters, especially the relationship between the two main agents. Some fans even created their own stories about the characters.

Merchandise

The X-Files inspired many products. Comics, magazines, and card games were created. The show also led to several video games, allowing players to explore the mysteries alongside the agents. A pinball game was also made, featuring the same characters.

Legacy

See also: The X-Files (franchise)

The X-Files inspired many other TV shows, such as Lost and Fringe. The character of Dana Scully was seen as a strong, intelligent woman who influenced many viewers. The show was also popular in popular culture, appearing in cartoons like The Simpsons and Family Guy. Music groups made songs referencing the show, and fans continue to celebrate its impact. The creators have noted that the show may have helped make conspiracy theories more well-known.