Gillian Anderson just talked about the emotional rollercoaster of going back into Dana Scully’s shoes on The X-Files. At Fan Expo San Francisco, she admitted that revisiting the iconic role was harder than she expected. Anderson delivered a raw take on the ups and downs of reprising a character that’s been such a huge part of her career.
Gillian Anderson says reprising Scully on The X-Files came as ‘a bit of a shock’
Gillian Anderson thought going back to Dana Scully’s role would be like riding a bike, easy and automatic. Instead, she called it “a bit of a shock,” saying that after playing other characters for years, returning to Scully jolted her emotionally.
The 57-year-old also thanked The X-Files for teaching her how to compartmentalize like a pro under pressure. Back in the day, she was juggling brainy science scripts while raising a kid, changing between being an actress and a mother.
Anderson also looked back at the ’90s fame storm, way before social media made everything go viral even faster. Living in LA meant the paparazzi were on her tail 24/7, sometimes making things troublesome. Shooting in Vancouver became her safe zone, far from the media circus. It was where she could relax, focus on acting, and do her thing without constant eyes on her.
The chat also had some fun, personal moments like how her kids couldn’t care less about fame and her hilarious run-in with a wax version of herself. However, the spotlight remained on Scully, how the role shaped Anderson’s career, and how it pushed her emotionally. The role was so iconic that it still throws surprises her way even decades later.
Gillian Anderson has dominated TV, film, and stage for decades. She shot to worldwide fame as Dana Scully on The X-Files, getting critical praise and two Emmys along the way. She also appeared in shows like The Fall and Sex Education. On the big screen, she’s turned heads in The House of Mirth, The Last King of Scotland, and Johnny English Reborn.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on ComingSoon.
