Ryan Coogler’s ‘X-Files’ Reboot Gets Hulu Pilot Order With Danielle Deadwyler Starring; Jennifer Yale Joins As Showrunner

The search for the truth is back in action. Ryan Coogler's long-awaited X-Files reboot has been given the green light for a pilot at Hulu. Danielle Deadwyler, known for her role in The Piano Lesson, is set to star as one of the main characters in the project, which is produced by Onyx Collective and 20th Television. Jennifer Yale, who worked on The Copenhagen Test, has been named the showrunner, according to Deadline.

Coogler, who directed the film Sinners, is also writing and directing the pilot.

 The story follows two highly respected but very different FBI agents – one played by Deadwyler – who are paired together to investigate a long-closed unit that deals with unexplainable events.

Yale is producing the show along with The X-Files creator Chris Carter, as well as Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Zinzi Coogler from Proximity Media.

 Simone Harris from Proximity Media is also a co-executive producer. Francine Maisler, the casting director for Sinners, is handling the casting for the pilot.

This pilot order marks the end of a three-year process for the project.

 It's part of Coogler's five-year deal with Disney, which owns Hulu, 20th Television, and Onyx.

Carter first mentioned the project during a 2023 podcast, where he said Coogler was planning to reboot The X-Files with a diverse cast, but added that it would be a big challenge since the original series covered a lot of ground.

Coogler confirmed his involvement during a podcast in April.

 He said he was excited about the project and hoped it would be scary and satisfying for both old and new fans. He also mentioned that he had spoken with Gillian Anderson, who was part of the original X-Files, about the reboot. The project took time to come together as Coogler was busy with other projects like Sinners and Disney+’s Ironheart.

After finishing Sinners, Coogler made The X-Files a priority, which helped the project gain momentum and led to Yale joining as showrunner.

 Hulu has been focusing more on pilot development in recent years, even for its big titles. The streamer is also moving forward with a pilot for a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot, directed by Chloé Zhao.

The original X-Files had Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny as FBI agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder, investigating cases with supernatural elements.

 The show started on Fox in 1993 and ran for nine seasons. It had two movies and a 2016 revival on Fox.

Coogler's latest film, Sinners, won many awards at the BAFTA Film Awards, making it the most decorated film by a Black director.

 It won three awards, including Best Original Screenplay. The movie has made over $365 million worldwide. Coogler runs Proximity Media with Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian. He is represented by WME, M88, and Cohen and Gardner.

Deadwyler is set to appear in the upcoming HBO comedy series Rooster with Steve Carell, Charly Clive, and Phil Dunster.

 She is also in Season 3 of Euphoria and The Saviors, a dark comedy thriller directed by Kevin Hamedani. She is an executive producer on The Woman in the Yard, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. She is represented by Paradigm, Play Management, and Ziffren Brittenham.

Yale recently executive produced and co-showran The Copenhagen Test for Peacock with Simu Liu and Atomic Monster.

 She also wrote for Apple TV’s Your Friends and Neighbors and worked on Apple’s See and Netflix’s Chambers. She is represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, CAA, and Hansen Jacobson.

Carter is represented by CAA and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc.