Fans at New York Comic Con have just gotten an exclusive sneak peek at the first episode of the highly anticipated X-Files 'event' series almost 3 months ahead of its air date in January 2016. The hit show ran for nine seasons before ending in 2002, and ever since then die-hards have begged creator Chris Carter for more.
David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, the franchise's iconic stars, are back for this six episode mini-series. Joining them are new comers Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley) and Joel McHale (Community).
Duchovny, in an interview with USA Today, said the timing was right to bring back the show. "None of us were interested in just coming back and winking at the camera and being like, 'Hey, we're back! We're here to make a ton of references to stuff we can all laugh about and cash our checks.' He says.
In the same interview, Carter added, "When you bring a show like this back, you do it for the hardcore fans. They're the ones who put you there, so you're bringing it back with them in mind, at the same time, you always hope to attract and/or entertain as big an audience as possible. So we don't belabor it for the hardcore fans, but we make sure there's a hook for the newbies."
At the post-screening panel, Duchovny didn't offer a concrete response on whether or not this mini-series was just a one off thing. He told those in attendance:
"Chris has the lion's share of the work. We work hard, but Chris really, it's a bigger time commitment [for him]. I'm just grateful to all you guys to let us come back and play these characters again. If there's an appetite for more, then as we say in the show, you have my number."
To see the episode and the rest of the new X-Files series, you'll have to wait until January 24.
