Hulu’s new The X-Files has found its second lead, with Himesh Patel now set to star opposite Danielle Deadwyler in the upcoming revival from Sinners and Black Panther filmmaker Ryan Coogler.
Patel joins previously announced Deadwyler as one of two FBI agents assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena. The pair will reportedly be playing new characters, not Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.
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Himesh Patel joins Danielle Deadwyler in Hulu’s ‘The X-Files’
The official logline describes the series as following “two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents” who “form an unlikely bond when they are assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena.”
The project was formally greenlit at Hulu back in February, with Coogler set to write and direct the pilot. Jennifer Yale is on board as showrunner, while original The X-Files creator Chris Carter will executive produce in a non-writing capacity.
Ryan Coogler’s reboot is building its central team
Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler will also executive produce for Proximity Media, with Simone Harris serving as co-executive producer. The pilot is being produced by Onyx Collective and 20th Television.
Patel’s casting rounds out the reboot’s central duo, with Patel and Deadwyler leading this new chapter of the franchise. The two previously appeared together in Station Eleven, with Patel also known for projects including Yesterday, Tenet, and The Franchise.
No Mulder and Scully recast
At this stage, there is no indication that the reboot is recasting Mulder and Scully. Instead, Coogler’s version appears to be carving out its own path within the world of The X-Files.
Gillian Anderson has previously said she read Coogler’s script and told fans to, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter, “have an open mind and give it a chance because it’s going to be fucking cool,” though neither she nor David Duchovny are currently attached.
