The X-Files became 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 in The X-Files contributed 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. In The X-Files, the 55-year-old actress played FBI Special Agent, Dana Scully.
Moreover, the Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, Tales from the Darkside, Twin Peaks, and especially Kolchak: The Night Stalker were among the earlier television programs that The X-Files took inspiration from.
The X-Files basically revolved around two special agents investigating unsolved cases involving unexplained, paranormal activities. Anderson starred alongside David Duchovny, who played her FBI partner, Fox Mulder.
Gillian Anderson’s Struggles with The X-Files
The X-Files may have solidified Gillian 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 at The Hollywood Reporter Roundtables discussion 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 enduring The X-Files role 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.
Pamela Anderson Was Almost Cast As Dana Scully?
The X-Files is 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 on The X-Files first started in 1992, Basic Instinct was the year’s most popular film, and Sharon Stone dominated 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 that Pamela Anderson was being courted by Fox to leave her supporting role on Baywatch for the character of Dana Scully.
Fortunately for The Mighty Celt actress, Chris Carter defended her by saying that she was the only actress who, in his opinion, effectively captured the integrity that Dana possessed.
Anderson is now a well-known celebrity who has achieved success in a variety of roles, but The X-Files will 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, stream The X-Files on Hulu.
Source- THR
