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Duchovny Reflects on “Failure of Friendship” with Anderson During “X-Files” Era
David Duchovny has openly discussed a “failure of friendship” he experienced with his former co-star Gillian Anderson during their time filming the iconic sci-fi series “The X-Files,” which captivated audiences from the 1990s into the 2000s.
In a recent episode of his “Fail Better” podcast, Duchovny spoke candidly with Anderson about the complexities of their professional relationship. He highlighted that confronting this personal lapse was one of the most challenging aspects of their discussion.
Reflecting on their time together, Duchovny revealed, “For a significant period while working on the show, we essentially avoided each other off-camera.”
His apprehension over revisiting the difficult phase when they were not in communication outside of filming was evident. “There was a lot of tension,” he reflected, acknowledging that despite their interpersonal issues, they managed to deliver compelling performances. “Apparently, it didn’t seem to affect our work, as we’re both quite eccentric, and somehow we were able to perform the way we needed to.”
Anderson corroborated his sentiments, sharing that there were stretches of time, sometimes lasting weeks, when they did not speak outside of their professional obligations. “It’s astonishing that we could still portray the chemistry there on screen while not connecting off-screen,” she remarked, referencing the deep yet tumultuous relationship between their characters, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.
Duchovny noted that while they felt an initial spark of connection when they were first cast in the series created by Chris Carter, their relationship evolved over time, leading to a growing distance. Anderson remarked that she began to appreciate different facets of Duchovny’s personality while listening to his podcast, saying, “It felt like I was discovering more about you than I ever knew.”
Both actors expressed a realization that despite their deep history and shared experiences, there remained aspects of each other that were yet to be uncovered. “We know each other very deeply, and yet we don’t fully know each other, which is a strange dynamic,” Duchovny commented. He elaborated on the unique bond they share, stating, “Having gone through such a transformative experience together with the show’s success, only we truly understand what it was like to be in that spotlight.”
The series “The X-Files” originally aired on Fox from 1993 until 2002, with Duchovny departing midway through its seventh season. Scully was subsequently paired with Robert Patrick’s character, while Mulder made his return at the start of the ninth season. Notably, the show saw a revival with two short seasons released in 2016 and 2018, during which both Duchovny and Anderson reprised their roles as the iconic FBI partners.
Additionally, last year, Chris Carter revealed that he approved of Ryan Coogler spearheading a potential revival, and Anderson expressed her willingness to step back into the role of Scully if the opportunity arises.
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