Fox says that there are no plans for more X-Files at the moment

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

As a huge fan of The X-Files, I was thrilled when the series was revived for a six-episode season back in 2016. Sure, it wasn't quite the triumphant return to form which many of us had hoped, but it was great to see David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their iconic roles of Mulder and Scully. As the season ended on one hell of a cliffhanger, it was assumed that the series would be back for another season, and thankfully it did, and this time it was even expanded to ten-episodes. For the most part, the eleventh season of The X-Files offered up a sizeable improvement over its predecessor with Anderson and Duchovny stepping into their character's shoes with more ease, but the finale, which was written and directed by series mastermind Chris Carter, certainly took the wind out of my sails.

The finale didn't exactly wrap everything up and contained more than a few questionable moments for beloved characters, which was made all the more frustrating as Gillian Anderson had already announced that she was done with the series. Combined with the lackluster ratings, it seemed quite unlikely that fans would have the chance to get the answers they sought. While speaking with reporters, Fox Television CEO and chairman Gary Newman cast another nail into the coffin of The X-Files.

There are no plans to do another season at the moment.

Short and to the point, but Newman's addition of "at the moment" leaves a small morsel of hope alive. However, given the negative fan reaction to certain story elements over the course of the past season, as well as Gillian Anderson's exit, do we even want The X-Files to return? Although Chris Carter was once opposed to the idea of continuing on without Anderson, he later changed his tune, saying, "I think that certainly The X-Files has more life in it, there are more stories to tell, with Gillian or without. I'm sorry to see her go, I've never actually considered doing this show without her, so is this the end? It's the end of something, I don't know if it's the beginning of something new. But certainly we will have to all put our heads together and figure out where to go from here." As much as I'd love to see the series somehow continue, and I feel guilty saying this, I'd almost prefer if the reins were passed off to someone other than Carter, who seems to have lost touch with what makes The X-Files special. Or, you know, maybe it's just time to let the series finally die.

Do you still hope that The X-Files will return in some form or should it finally be left alone?