This is the translation from a French interview with Gillian Anderson. There’s a few weird things that might have been lost in translation, but here it is. (Thanks anon for the submission.)

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The X-File will stop because you don’t want to return as Scully. Why?

 We filmed 6 episodes that aired in 2017 even though I thought I was done with The X-Files already. I said yes because of friendship, to work with the old team once again, when Chris Carter asked me again if I wanted to come back for a few more episodes. I thought it was only for a couple weeks. Then, Chris asked me to become Scully again for 10 more episodes that we just wrapped.
No one said we would do 10 a year or I would have said no.

Really? 

 Yes. I have three kids and they’re my priority. I stepped back a few years ago for other projects, but mostly for them.
I’ve always wanted them to have a balanced life, far away from this industry. I became famous too young with The X-Files and all my mistakes were documented in the press. Living away from that only have good sides for me.

So there’s no change you will change you mind in a few months or years? 

 No, no and no. I’m very serious. I have a profound respect for Chris Carter, I adore David Duchovny and I enjoyed working with the whole team, but this is my final decision and nothing will make me change my mind. Nothing. 

 Not even a big paycheck? 

 No. I must say that I’m very lucky because I’ve always had the same salary of my male costars. I’m happy to see everything that is happening in Hollywood lately.
We’re only at the step of discussions, but managing to talk about pay equality over there, and everywhere, is already a big step. Now, there needs to be laws so all the wrong things that we saw recently don’t happen again. 

You’re also one of the many women who were wearing black at the Golden Globes. Are your an activist in the “Time’s up” mouvement against harassment?

I want to add my voice and do what I can to help. “Time’s up” is a great mouvement because it’s not only in Hollywood. We want to help women to defend themselves and to talk about it to make things change. 

During the last saison of the x-files in 2001, you said you had too much pressure and you didn’t want to be a celebrity but an actress. Is it also one of the reason why you’re leaving the show?

 The main reason is that I need to be motivated as an actress. I need to be challenged. I became an actress to play many characters and to play different women. Certainly not to play Scully for decades!
I have many projects for the next two years very different from the xfiles . I look forward to live those new experiences without feeling tied up to one particular show. 

Does Scully die in the end so you really don’t have to come back? 

 You know I can’t answer this question! Let’s say I’ve filmed my last scene and I’m happy with what happens to her.

Okay, but what can you tell us about those 10 new episodes?
We did one that barely has dialogues in it. It was fascinating to express all these feelings without talking. It was a real challenge because I didn’t want to look like Charlie Chaplin and mime things. 

How can you explain that the duet Mulder-Scully worked so well? 

My relationship with Scully has changed so much over the years. I didn’t have any expectations in the beginning. I was very naive. I grew up between London and Michigan. When I arrived to Hollywood. I didn’t know how tv production worked, or what the idea of filming 10 months out of 12 meant and the personal implications that it required.
Then I’ve been sucked up by fame and success. I felt like I couldn’t control anything. It was a very intense period and I needed to go away.
But I just figured why our duo worked so well. I needed 25 years to get it (laughs)

So why?  

Fox asked me to tape an interview to talk about my favorites episodes so I took the time the rewatch different stories from our beginnings. That’s the camaraderie between Mulder and Scully that fascinates since day one. There’s an attraction between them that has nothing to do with lust but more with mutual respect. Actually, David Duchovny and I are very different, but we understood each other very well. I can even tell you that we’re neighbors now because we live a few minutes away from each other.

Could we say that Scully was a independant women role model even before it was the case in many tv shows? 

 Absolutely! She’s always been a pro who didn’t depend on men, who has her own opinions and didn’t wait for a guy to come save her.
I know that in the 90s, she was a role model for teenagers. 

You now have platinium blond hair. Is it for a role or to forget Scully?

 We can say that! (Laughs). The platinium blond isn’t the best to go incognito, but st least, I know no one will call me Scully now, ‘cause I don’t look like her anymore.

Gillian Anderson: «Je suis devenue célèbre trop jeune»