Hulu Orders Ryan Coogler's 'X-Files' Reboot Starring Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel

Key points

• Hulu has given a series order to Ryan Coogler’s reboot of 'The X-Files,' announced on October 13, 2026.
• The series stars Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel as two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents assigned to a long-shuttered division investigating unexplained phenomena.
• Ryan Coogler wrote, directed, and executive-produced the pilot, which was picked up by Hulu in February 2026.
• Jennifer Yale serves as executive producer and showrunner, while Chris Carter, the original series creator, is also an executive producer.
• The project has been in development for more than three years and is produced by Proximity Media, Onyx Collective, and 20th Television.
• Coogler stated that the new series aims to honor the original while finding its own way into the world, with Deadwyler and Patel bringing original perspectives to their characters.

Background

The original 'The X-Files' ran for nine seasons on Fox in the 1990s and early 2000s, spawning two feature films and a two-season revival on Hulu from 2016 to 2018. The new series is a reimagining rather than a direct continuation, featuring new characters instead of David Duchovny’s Fox Mulder and Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully. Coogler, known for 'Sinners' and the 'Black Panther' films, has a five-year exclusive television deal with Disney, the parent company of Hulu. The project was first revealed by Chris Carter in a 2023 podcast interview, where he mentioned Coogler’s plan to remount the series with a diverse cast.

How outlets are covering it

TVLine, Deadline, Variety, and Space all report the series order, emphasizing the involvement of Ryan Coogler and the new lead cast. TVLine and Deadline highlight the three-year development timeline and the roles of Proximity Media and 20th Television. Variety notes that the new characters are distinct from Mulder and Scully, while Space focuses on the reimagining aspect. All sources agree on the key personnel and the series’ premise, with no significant disagreements reported.

Why it matters

The series order marks a significant milestone for Ryan Coogler’s television career and represents a major investment by Hulu in a high-profile reboot. It also signals a shift in the 'X-Files' franchise, moving away from the original characters to a new generation of agents, potentially attracting a new audience while honoring the legacy of the original series.

What to watch

Production is expected to begin soon, with the series set to premiere on Hulu in 2027. The next steps include finalizing the cast and schedule, with Coogler and Yale overseeing the development of the full season. The series is expected to continue the legacy of 'The X-Files' while introducing new stories and characters.