Ryan Coogler’s ‘The X-Files’ officially gets series order at Hulu

Jennifer Yale will serve as showrunner, with original creator Chris Carter returning as an executive producer

Ryan Coogler’s new The X-Files series has officially received a series order from Hulu, marking a new chapter for the popular science fiction franchise.

The project will introduce a new pair of FBI agents investigating paranormal cases, with Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel taking the lead roles. Their characters are expected to develop a dynamic reminiscent of the original investigators, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, whose contrasting beliefs helped define the long running series.

Coogler, known for directing Black Panther and Sinners, wrote and directed the pilot episode and will serve as an executive producer. Jennifer Yale has been appointed showrunner and executive producer, while original The X-Files creator Chris Carter will also return as an executive producer.

The production’s other executive producers include Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian of Proximity Media. Deadwyler and Patel will serve as co executive producers alongside Simone Harris.

In a statement announcing the project, Coogler said he had loved The X-Files for a long time and considered the opportunity to write and direct its pilot a meaningful experience. He added that the creative team wanted to honour what made Carter’s original series resonate with audiences while developing its own approach to the franchise.

Steve Buscemi and Amy Madigan have also been reported as cast members, although details about their characters have not been disclosed.

The original The X-Files ran for 11 seasons and produced 218 episodes, alongside two feature films. The series followed Mulder and Scully as they investigated unexplained phenomena, government conspiracies and cases involving possible extraterrestrial activity.

Coogler has previously discussed combining standalone monster investigations with larger mythology driven stories involving alien colonisation. However, further plot details for the new series have yet to be confirmed.

It remains unclear whether original stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson will return as Mulder and Scully. Hulu has not announced an official release date for the new series.