Ryan Coogler’s ‘X-Files’ Reboot Ordered for Hulu Pilot with Danielle Deadwyler and Jennifer Yale as Showrunner
Filmmaker Ryan Coogler is set to write and direct the pilot for the upcoming revival of The X-Files. The new series will feature two distinguished but contrasting FBI agents—one portrayed by Danielle Deadwyler—who forge an unexpected partnership while investigating peculiar cases within a long-dormant division focused on unexplained phenomena.
Alongside Coogler, the project will be executive produced by The X-Files creator Chris Carter, along with Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler from Proximity Media. Simone Harris of Proximity Media will serve as co-executive producer. Casting for the pilot is being handled by Sinners casting director Francine Maisler.
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The pilot order marks the culmination of a three-year development process and aligns with Coogler’s five-year exclusive television agreement with Disney, the parent company of Hulu, 20th TV, and Onyx.
Carter initially disclosed Coogler’s involvement in a podcast interview earlier this year, stating that Coogler was “going to remount The X-Files with a diverse cast.” He noted, “He’s got his work cut out for him because we covered so much territory.”
Coogler confirmed his engagement with the project during a podcast appearance in April, expressing his excitement: “I’ve been excited about that for a long time, and I’m fired up to get back to it. Some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really f*cking scary,” he said. He further emphasized his commitment to crafting something meaningful for both longtime fans and new audiences.
In that interview, Coogler shared that he had discussions with original X-Files star Gillian Anderson regarding the reboot, indicating that progress was slow at first due to his extensive commitments, including his recent film Sinners, which has garnered significant acclaim with a record 16 Oscar nominations, along with Disney+’s Ironheart.
With Coogler prioritizing The X-Files following Sinners, the project has gained momentum, and Yale has now come on board as showrunner.
Hulu has embraced a pilot development approach for several of its high-profile titles in recent years. Notably, the streamer is also producing a pilot for a reboot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, directed by Chloé Zhao.
The original X-Files, which debuted on Fox in 1993 and ran for nine seasons, starred David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who investigated paranormal cases. The series generated two feature films—The X-Files (1998) and The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008)—and a revival that aired for two additional seasons starting in 2016.
‘The X-Files’: Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson)
Coogler’s recent film, Sinners, made a significant mark at the BAFTA Film Awards, becoming the most decorated movie by a Black director. The film secured three awards, including Best Original Screenplay for Coogler. Starring Michael B. Jordan, it has grossed over $365 million globally. Coogler is the founder of Proximity Media, along with partners Zinzi Coogler and Ohanian, and is represented by WME, M88, and Cohen and Gardner.
Deadwyler will also star in HBO’s upcoming comedy series Rooster, alongside Steve Carell, Charly Clive, and Phil Dunster. She is set to return in Season 3 of Euphoria and appears in The Saviors, a dark comedy thriller directed by Kevin Hamedani. Recently, she produced The Woman in the Yard under the direction of Jaume Collet-Serra and is represented by Paradigm, Play Management, and Ziffren Brittenham.
Yale, who has taken on the role of showrunner, previously executive produced and co-showran The Copenhagen Test for Peacock, featuring Simu Liu. She has written for Apple TV’s Your Friends and Neighbors, and served as the executive producer on Apple’s See and Netflix’s Chambers. Yale is represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, CAA, and Hansen Jacobson.
Carter is represented by CAA and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc.
