Could The X-Files go on without Dana Scully? It’s an idea that Chris Carter and Fox will have to contemplate after Gillian Anderson made it clear she's put down her badge for the final time. On the eve of The X-Files season 11 finale, Carter told Den of Geek that another season can be achieved.
“I think there will be more X-Files,” Carter said. "They haven’t locked up the file cabinet in Mulder’s office. There’s still more stories to be told. It’s not the same X-Files without Mulder and Scully. In the same breath, there is a lot of life left in the show. I think you haven’t seen the end.”
If Anderson cannot be swayed into another X-Files return, Carter could have the inverse of the situation that played out when David Duchovny left the series after season 7, appearing as a recurring player in season 8 and only in two episodes in season 9, the two-part finale of the show’s original run. The question on fans’ minds will certainly be: Does Carter have an idea of who could replace Anderson?
“I don’t, but I’ve been working on this for a year. I’m tired and I don’t want to think about it right now,” Carter said with a laugh.
Fox has yet to commit to a third revival season, which would be the 12th season of The X-Files overall. The ratings have hit series lows, but remain respectable with over 3 million viewers tuning in for the most recent episodes, according to the Live + Same Day ratings. The series is retaining less than half the viewers it averaged for season 10, putting its future in doubt.