Ryan Coogler’s ‘The X-Files’ Reimagining Officially Ordered as a Series on Hulu

Few franchises have inspired as much “I want to believe” devotion as ‘The X-Files’. Since its conclusion, fans have wondered if anyone could recapture its blend of paranoia, mystery, and monster-of-the-week excitement. Now, one of Hollywood’s most sought-after filmmakers has provided an answer, and it’s official.

Hulu has officially ordered Ryan Coogler’s reimagining of ‘The X-Files’ to series, announcing the news on Tuesday. The show features Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel in lead roles, supported by a cast that includes Steve Buscemi and Amy Madigan. This project comes from Onyx Collective and 20th Television.

This series order follows Hulu’s pilot pickup in February and arrives while Coogler is experiencing a significant career high after the four-Oscar success of ‘Sinners’. It also marks the culmination of a project that has been in development for years, providing ‘X-Files’ fans with a solid reason to celebrate.

Hulu describes the series as a reimagining of the classic, following two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents who form an unlikely partnership. They are assigned to a long-closed division dedicated to cases involving unexplained phenomena. This setup echoes the spirit of the original while allowing for a new dynamic.

Importantly, Deadwyler and Patel are not taking on the roles of Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. Reports indicate they will portray entirely new characters, although they remain within the FBI. It is still unclear whether they will follow the traditional believer-and-skeptic dynamic or establish a different relationship.

Coogler wrote, directed, and executive produced the pilot through his company Proximity Media. The pilot was filmed by Autumn Durald Arkapaw, his Oscar-winning cinematographer from ‘Sinners’. Jennifer Yale serves as showrunner and executive producer.

Executive producers include Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian of Proximity Media, along with original series creator Chris Carter, who serves as a non-writing executive producer. Co-executive producers are Simone Harris, Deadwyler, and Patel. In his statement, Coogler emphasized the special nature of what Carter created, expressing the team’s desire to honor the original’s connection with fans while carving out their own path.

The series order concludes a journey of over three years, according to Deadline, and the project is part of Coogler’s five-year exclusive television deal with Disney, the parent company of Hulu, 20th Television, and Onyx. The idea first emerged in 2023 when Carter revealed that Coogler had reached out about rebooting the series with a diverse cast. Little official news followed until the pilot order this year.

The anticipation has been building, and the cast reflects that excitement. The pilot was filmed in Vancouver, the same city where the original series shot its early seasons, a fitting homage for a show rich in atmosphere.

Deadwyler is recognized for her roles in ‘The Harder They Fall’, ‘Till’, and ‘The Piano Lesson’, along with television appearances in shows like ‘Station Eleven’. Patel, an Emmy nominee, is known for ‘EastEnders’, ‘Yesterday’, ‘Station Eleven’, and a supporting role in ‘The Odyssey’. The two previously worked together in ‘Station Eleven’, which gives them an established rapport.

Amy Madigan and Steve Buscemi also join the cast in supporting roles, along with Ben Foster in guest appearances. Madigan is a recent Oscar winner, and Buscemi’s credits include ‘Boardwalk Empire’. This level of talent indicates that the show is aiming high.

One lingering question remains: will Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, or other original cast members make an appearance? The synopsis suggests the series takes place after the original show, leaving the possibility open. Rumors have circulated regarding the return of the original leads in some capacity, but nothing has been confirmed.

For now, it’s best to treat that as speculation. The new show seems designed to stand on its own, featuring new characters and a fresh perspective. Whether it ultimately connects to the earlier series remains to be seen.

There is currently no premiere date, and Hulu has not disclosed an episode count. Some commentators speculate that the show could debut in fall 2027, just in time for the spooky season, although that is not official. The series will stream on Hulu, including on Hulu on Disney+.

Coogler has indicated that after completing ‘The X-Files’, he plans to direct ‘Black Panther 3’, which is rumored to target a summer 2028 release. This suggests his focus will remain on the series for the time being. For fans, the key takeaway is simple: the truth is, once again, out there.

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