What happened to Mulder and Scully from 'The X-Files'?

Mulder and Scully, AKA David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson became stars in the late 1990s and early 21st century with 'The X-Files'. They had a very interesting relationship on and off screen as well as fascinating lives before and after the actors took on their 'X-Files' roles. What happened to them?

David Duchovny's face was already known to the public for his resounding presence in 'Twin Peaks'. In David Lynch's iconic series he played Denise, a transgender FBI agent.

Coinciding with the premiere of 'The X-Files', back in 1993, was the theatrical release of 'Kalifornia', a disturbing thriller in which David Duchovny was the victim of Early Grayce played by Brad Pitt - a psychopath disguised as a friendly travelling companion.

Apart from being a handsome chap, he is also quite the brain box. He has a B.A.in English literature from Princeton University and an M.A. in the same subject from Yale.

Gillian Anderson was born in Chicago on August 9, 1968, but when she was very young her parents moved to the UK and she lived there until she was eleven years old. She returned with her family to the United States and started doing theatre at a very young age. She then made an appearance in the Fox series 'Class of 96' and her career took off; rising to stardom with her role as Agent Scully.

There were doubts about casting her in the role because some of the show's directors thought she was too young. Gillian Anderson was 24 when she was cast as Scully. She was ordered to be dressed, styled and made up to look older.

Agent Scully earned Gillian Anderson an Emmy, a Golden Globe and two SAG Awards. And, after the theatrical instalments of 'The X-Files', she boosted up her CV to include a film career.

At the end of the 90s, while the fame of 'The X-Files' was still at its peak, Gillian Anderson tried her luck with films that were not big box-office hits, but did shine for their artistic risks. In 'The Mighty' she acted with iconic co-stars such as Sharon Stone and Gena Rowlands.

The bad relationship between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson during the filming of 'The X-Files' was often discussed in the press. Many years later, during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel's show, they laughingly admitted that the confrontation did exist.

The series began shooting in Vancouver, Canada, and the persistent rain depressed Michael Duchovny who (although a New Yorker by birth) preferred sunny California. He lobbied to take the shoot to Los Angeles, but Gillian Anderson didn't really want to, which made Duchovny angry. Adding to that the high workload and the unexpected pressure of fame, Mulder and Scully went through turbulent beginnings only to become good friends in the end.

David Duchovny, just like Gillian Anderson,went looking for a career in cinema. Combining it with the success of 'The X-Files' he embarked on producing comedies such as 'Evolution' (in the image) and 'Return to me'. Easy Hollywood films with box-office appeal but without great results.

Photo: Dreamworks Pictures

When he finished his role as Scully, David Duchovny took a gamble and came out on top: in 2007 he produced and starred in 'Californication', a sitcom with adult content that was a huge success for six seasons. He won a Golden Globe for his role in the series, adding to the one he had already won for his role as Agent Mulder.

As if his acting talents aren't enough, he is also a musician having released three studio albums. He released his third album 'Gestureland' in 2021.

The most important story in David Duchovny's personal life has been his relationship with fellow actress Tea Leoni, whom he married in 1997 and had two children. After several crises and separations, they finally divorced in 2014.

Gillian Anderson has had three important relationships in her private life: in 1991 she married Clyde Klotz, artistic director of 'The X-Files', who she divorced in 1997; in 2004 she married journalist Julian Ozanne and then got divorced in 2006, when her relationship with businessman Mark Griffiths (pictured) became official. She divorced Griffiths in 2012.

Gillian Anderson had her first daughter, Piper, with her first husband. Oscar and Felix are from her relationship with Mark Griffiths.

Gillian Anderson has always lived between the United States and Great Britain (she currently lives in London) and because she grew up on British soil she has a peculiarity: she can act with a British or American accent, which she does depending on the role she has to play.

Since 'The X-Files' came to an end, Gillian Anderson has continued her career without reaching the same level of stardom that her role as Agent Scully gave her, but with an interesting trajectory. In 2019 she shone in the cast of 'Sex Education'.

Photo: Netflix

But perhaps her most striking work in recent years has been her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in 'The Crown'. Critics applauded her highly for her representation of the British Prime Minister.

Anderson also appeared in the brilliant crime drama 'The Fall' playing Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson opposite Jamie Dornan.

She has also appeared in other television roles that include Lady Dedlock in 'Bleak House' and Miss Havisham in 'Great Expectations', both BBC adaptations of Dickens novels.

In another recent work, she appears in the series 'The Great' as the role of Elle Fanning's mother.

The talented award-winning actor and producer has recently signed a first-look deal with Netflix via her production company Fiddlehead Productions.

David Duchovny is still going strong, although his level of success has not reached the level he experienced with 'The X-Files' or 'Californication'. He made a crime series in 2016 called 'Aquarius' but it only ran for one season. He also participated in the return of 'Twin Peaks' in 2017.

David Duchovny published the novel 'Truly Like Lightning' about a man with three wives who is driven out of his desert isolation by an unscrupulous speculator. Sounds like an interesting storyline. There are plans to turn it into a miniseries.

He has had 4 novels published: 'Holy Cow: A Modern-Day Dairy Tale' (2015), a New York Times Bestseller; 'Miss Subways' (2018); and 'Truly Like Lightning' (2021).

And we come full circle: Scully and Mulder are still fully active in their careers. And they have been reunited - taking pictures of each other and leaving them for all to see on Instagram. Time has passed, David Duchovny has turned 60 and Gillian Anderson has passed the 50 mark, but they both look great. And maybe, who knows, they will play Scully and Mulder again in the near future.

Photo: Twitter @Gilliana