Ryan Coogler brings The X-Files back with a new cast

Ryan Coogler is bringing The X-Files back to television with a new series starring Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel, offering a fresh take on one of science fiction’s best-known franchises.

The series was officially ordered by Hulu in October 2026 and will be available on Disney+ in the UK. Coogler, the filmmaker behind Black Panther and Sinners, is developing the project with a new central partnership and a return to the mysterious cases that helped make the original programme a television favourite.

Deadwyler and Patel will play two highly decorated but very different FBI agents who form an unlikely bond after being assigned to a division that has been shut down for years. Their work brings them into contact with unexplained phenomena and cases that challenge conventional explanations, setting the stage for a new collection of investigations.

Coogler wrote, directed and executive produced the pilot episode and will continue as an executive producer. Jennifer Yale serves as showrunner and executive producer, while original The X-Files creator Chris Carter is also an executive producer. The project comes from Onyx Collective and 20th Television, in association with Coogler’s Proximity Media.

The new series builds on the original programme’s combination of science fiction, supernatural mysteries and conspiracy stories, while introducing different investigators and a new perspective on the FBI’s unexplained cases division.

First premiering in 1993, The X-Files followed agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigated strange events, paranormal activity and government secrets. Mulder’s belief in the extraordinary often contrasted with Scully’s scientific approach, creating a partnership that became central to the series’ appeal.

The franchise went on to span multiple television seasons, feature films and a later revival. Its mix of individual mysteries and larger conspiracy storylines helped establish a lasting international following, making the prospect of a new interpretation particularly appealing to longtime viewers.

Coogler has spoken about his affection for the original series and his desire to respect what made it special while bringing a new creative approach to its world. His involvement also reunites him with composer Ludwig Göransson, who contributed the score for the pilot.

Where to watch the new series

The new The X-Files will premiere on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ in the UK. A UK release date will be confirmed as the series moves towards its premiere.