Carter Says He'd Revisit Mulder and Scully
The X-Files creator says he would love to continue the characters' story in a new sequel, after Hulu greenlit a Ryan Coogler reboot series.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Chris Carter said he would love the opportunity to continue Mulder and Scully's story in a new X-Files sequel, in comments made during an interview with Page Six Hollywood. The remarks came as Hulu greenlit a full series from Ryan Coogler reviving the franchise with Himesh Patel and Danielle Deadwyler as FBI agents.
Why it matters
Carter said the Coogler series must first find its audience before a Mulder and Scully sequel is planned, which makes the reboot's reception a key factor in whether the original characters return. For U.S. fans, the question is whether the franchise's next chapter will bring back its best-known leads or start fresh.
Carter's remarks point to Season 11 as the show's series finale, with no commercial or viewership figures reported for the sequel or the Hulu reboot. Whether a Mulder and Scully return is pursued will depend on how the Coogler series performs, which has not yet been measured.
The players
Chris Carter
Chris Carter is the creator of The X-Files, the science fiction series that ran on Fox and launched the Mulder and Scully characters, and he also directed the 2008 sequel film I Want to Believe.
Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler is an American filmmaker known for directing Fruitvale Station, Black Panther, and Sinners, and he is developing the new X-Files reboot series.
The details
Carter said he would like to do the sequel as a series or as a movie, and assumed David Duchovny would return as Mulder for the new project. He also said he went to great lengths with four episodes during the last two reboots to set up new stories, and seemingly indicated in August 2026 that Gillian Anderson would return as Scully for Coogler's reboot.
Timeline
August 2026: Carter seemingly indicated Gillian Anderson would return as Scully for the Coogler reboot.
October 2026: Hulu greenlit Coogler's X-Files reboot for a full series.
November 13, 2026: Carter's comments about a Mulder and Scully sequel were published.
Franchise Revival
Carter's comments follow the franchise's pattern of revivals, including the 2008 film I Want to Believe that he directed, and the two earlier reboots he referenced when setting up new stories. The Coogler series marks a shift toward a new cast of FBI agents while leaving open whether Mulder and Scully return.
The Coogler series is being developed for Hulu, so viewers will need a Hulu subscription to watch it once released. No release date or episode count has been announced, and a Mulder and Scully sequel has not been scheduled.
The takeaway
Revivals of long-running franchises often hinge on how a new project performs before older characters are brought back, so the reception of the Coogler reboot will shape what comes next for Mulder and Scully. Readers following the franchise should watch for official Hulu announcements rather than assuming a sequel is in development.
Further reading
Explore more science fiction coverage for context on franchise revivals and the genre's ongoing television and film projects.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ScreenRant.
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