Fox is shutting down The X-Files — for now at least. In a conference call with reporters early Monday, network co-chairman and CEO Gary Newman revealed that “there are no plans to do another season at the moment.” His remarks come two months after the conclusion of the show’s 11th season, which leading lady Gillian Anderson previously announced would be her last.
In the wake of The X-Files’ Season 11 finale, series creator Chris Carter told TVLine, “I can’t imagine there wouldn’t be more X-Files, in some shape or form. I think there are lots more stories to tell and ways to tell them. I’m leaving this as a giant cliffhanger, and Gillian has announced that she’s not coming back. Hard-core X-Files fans know there have been no real endings on the show.”
In January, Anderson elaborated on her decision to bid Scully adieu, explaining that “there are lots of things that I want to do in my life and career. It’s been an extraordinary opportunity. I’m extremely grateful. [But] I don’t want to be tied down to doing one thing for months and months… I like to be challenged as an actor. That’s why I got into this business. And it’s time for me to hang up Scully’s hat. This is it for me — I’m really serious.”
I don’t know if you’re referring to the same podcast but he just said he doesn’t want to say it’s over because he doesn’t know what’s next. The Fox Upfronts are on May 14th, I guess it’ll settle everything down for good.
I don’t think that’s even a question. Fox can’t fire Chris but they could give him a lot of money to buy his rights and produce the franchise without him. That’s what they should have done after season 10, tbh.
But yes, somehow, if Chris was out and if Fox was up to completely rebrand the show and make it a modern one, then I think she could consider it. Thats a lot of ifs, though…
Honestly, I hope they’re not going to try making a season 12 without her. In the era of Game Of Thrones, TGIT and the hundreds of shows I could quote that are a hundred times betterly written, directed and yes, acted than XF, it seems pretty pointless to keep trying to make good ol’ X-Files. I’m sure Chris Carter never watches anything else than his old own episodes and has no idea what good tv looks like in 2018.
So take him out, put a fresh showrunner, hire some new talented writers and directors who are actually able to give the show a second wind, who can be inspired by what works without badly copy/pasting (ahem, Black Mirror, ahem) and then Maybe the two lead actors will be interested in it and Maybe, maybe it’ll gather a new audience and raise up the ratings.
To be honest, I’m not sure I’d like to see XF coming back without Gillian. Watching the seasons without David was painful and I don’t want to revive this again. This show is about Mulder and Scully for me so if you remove one of the main character, it loses its essence. I’d watch it, of course, but that would be painful.
However, I don’t believe Chris and David would be up to do more without her and even if they were, with those bad ratings that are dropping every week, there’s very little chance that Fox and Disney will want to do another season.
At this point, I think Gillian is even making it easier for Fox so they don’t have to “cancel” the show due to the low ratings, which is what they would probably do if Gillian finally changed her mind.
Nah… the good thing with the press is that they forget everything. They will just go with the flow and forget she used to say she’s done. Just like they did for season 11 after she said she was done after season 10.
She said it multiple times, especially during the NYCC at all the interview tables she did, basically. I think she even mentioned it during the panel. There’s also quite a few articles out there saying how it’s the last time for her.
I just don’t take that too seriously for now. I think it’ll depends on the rating of this season, and if they’re as good as season 10’s, I’m sure Fox will find a way to convince her (💰) if she hasn’t already signed for season 12. We’ll see…
“X-Files location manager Jendrek Kowalski said they’re at the end of the season 11 and were shooting episode nine.
‘We’ve been all over the place really.’
Scenes in Vancouver stood in for other parts of the U.S.
Maple Ridge doubled for the fictional town of Eastwood, Conn.
‘All of the crew and the producers were very happy with the look. The town looked great. We wanted to have a small-town feel so that’s why we came to Maple Ridge.’
The shooting schedule for next season hasn’t been determined.”
For now, I’m just really grateful we get a season 11! But yes, I do think we will get another one, especially if season 11 really ends on a cliffhanger. Gillian already said she wouldn’t do a season 11, and here we are. That’s what she does. But so far, there’s nothing else that pays her as much as XF and as long as it’s not the case, I think she’ll keep doing it, let’s be honest. She might be the new queen in The Crown, but even that show won’t give her as much exposure and money as XF and it might be cancelled after season 3 anyway.
So except if she has other big plans for the next few years, I think we’re safe for a season 12 in 2020.
Just Holding Hands 