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The X-Filesbecame a pioneer of the paranormal, enthralling audiences with its enigmatic plots and legendary dynamic duo. But the lead actress of the science fiction drama, Gillian Anderson, struggled with the emotional toll the role had on her away from the cameras. The actress once revealed in a candid interview how much acting inThe X-Filescontributed to her breakdowns.
Chris Carter’s science fiction drama TV series was not your typical television show; its plots dealt with the paranormal and probed the depths of the human psyche. InThe X-Files, the 55-year-old actress played FBI Special Agent, Dana Scully.
Moreover, theTwilight Zone, Night Gallery, Tales from the Darkside, Twin Peaks,and especiallyKolchak: The Night Stalkerwere among the earlier television programs thatThe X-Filestook inspiration from.
The X-Filesbasicallyrevolved around two special agents investigating unsolved cases involving unexplained, paranormal activities.Anderson starred alongside David Duchovny, who played her FBI partner, Fox Mulder.
Also Read:“Unless I’m working with Scorsese”: X-Files Star Gillian Anderson Rejected Game of Thrones For This Reason
Gillian Anderson’s Struggles withThe X-Files
The X-Filesmay have solidifiedGillian Anderson‘s status as a TV icon in the entertainment industry, but it also put an excessive amount of pressure on her.The actress once talked about how she had breakdowns as a result of being a part of such a popular TV show.
She made the following revelation atThe Hollywood Reporter Roundtablesdiscussion in 2021, which also featured other actresses Cynthia Erivo, Anya Taylor-Joy, Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez.
I certainly had that experience doing X-Files for nine seasons.
Anderson continued by saying that she was eager to move out from her enduringThe X-Filesrole and did not want to look back:
I had a good couple of mini breakdowns during that, and at the end, could not talk about it, could not see it, could not see pictures, could not. I needed to immerse immediately in theater in another country. And then after a while, I was able to embrace it again, but when I started to embrace it, it was almost like I separated myself so much that I was looking at the image as if it was another person. When you immerse yourself so entirely as we can and we do for such long periods of time, there’s not going to be no consequence to that. Of course there’s going to be consequence to that.
Eventually, when the show was picked up for its 10th and 11th seasons in 2016 and 2018, she agreed to reprise her role as Agent Dana Scully.
Also Read:“We couldn’t stand the sight of each other”: Gillian Anderson Hated Working With X-Files Co-Star David Duchovny Despite Series Running for 218 Episodes
Pamela Anderson Was Almost Cast As Dana Scully?
The X-Filesis one of the most-watched science fiction shows in television history.Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), a believer, and Dana Scully (Gillian Andreson), a skeptic, were two agents assigned to the special FBI office charged with looking into paranormal phenomena in the show.
When preproduction onThe X-Filesfirst started in 1992,Basic Instinctwas the year’s most popular film, andSharon Stonedominated Hollywood.
Thus, executives wanted to capitalize on Stone’s bombshell aesthetic, so they pushed to cast her in as many prominent roles. Years later, Gillian Anderson observed thatPamela Andersonwas being courted by Fox to leave her supporting role onBaywatchfor the character of Dana Scully.
Fortunately forThe Mighty Celtactress, Chris Carter defended her by saying that she was the only actress who, in his opinion, effectively captured the integrity that Dana possessed.
Andersonis now a well-known celebrity who has achieved success in a variety of roles, butThe X-Fileswill always be remembered for her ground-breaking work.The show was a success and generally received favorable reviews.
Gillian Anderson’s next project is the Netflix film,Scoop,which also stars Rufus Sewell, Billie Piper, and Keeley Hawes.
Meanwhile, streamThe X-Fileson Hulu.
Also Read:“I want to hear from you”: Sex Education Star Gillian Anderson Begins Campaign to Explore Female Sexuality, Asks Women to Share Their Deepest Fantasies With Her
Source-THR
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
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With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
