David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson cover Variety: ‘we really like each other’

varietyxfiles
I’m so excited for The X-Files premiere on Fox, which is this Sunday and Monday. (I just set my DVR!) It’s getting bad reviews, but I watched the movie with the villain who was just a talking head (ok I watched it twice), and I’m going to watch all six episodes of this show no matter what. EW says it stars out poorly but picks up in the third episode, which is good enough for me. (Incidentally, creator Chris Carter wrote the poorly reviewed first episode.) I just love these characters so much and I want to see what happens with them.

As promotion for the show, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson cover Variety. Their quotes about each other remind me of their flirty giggly joint appearance on Jimmy Kimmel, where Anderson was practically falling all over Duchovny. I floated the theory that they’re boning and some of you said it’s been on between them for a while while other people insisted Anderson is just a goofy person. In Varity, they don’t exactly gush about each other but it sounds like they thoroughly enjoy working together. Maybe that’s because it’s on between them!

Duchovny on how much better they get along now
“The crucible of doing that show made monsters out of both of us. Once we got to step back, it was like, ‘Oh, wow, we really like each other. I didn’t know that was going to happen.’

“The way we work together has changed. Whatever rapport we have as actors, we earned. It’s nice to be able to play that without ever even feeling like you’re playing it.”

Anderson on working with Duchovny
“Our relationship has definitely become a proper friendship over the last few years. I think we’re more on each other’s side. We’re more aware of the other’s needs, wants, concerns, and mindful to take those into consideration— and just sharing more about our experiences in the moment, under the sudden realization that we’re both in this together, and wouldn’t it be nice if it were a collaboration?”

Duchovny on whether they would do a longer series
“Gillian and I have talked about (doing more episodes), and then we just stop because we get to 2023 and we still haven’t found a date we can do it. It’s like, ‘Let’s just wait and see what happens after this,’ and then we can start to talk seriously about whether we can make it work again.”

Creator Chris Carter dismisses the bad reviews
“What seemed to be under review was the fact that we were coming back at all. They were reviews of our intentions rather than reviews of the show itself.”

[From Variety]

In terms of whether the X-Files will come back on a more permanent basis, I think that’s down to how this six episode arc performs more than to Duchovny and Anderson’s schedules. They’re both busy people but if there’s a big demand I bet they would be open to doing more. Given the negative advance buzz, I’m not hopeful. Still, it’s Anderson, Duchovny and Joel McHale! They’re all highly talented, watchable actors, they just need decent material. That might not even matter if the numbers are good, so we’ll have to wait and see.


This t-shirt is a reference to a joke Gillian and David made on Jimmy Kimmel.

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35 Responses to “David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson cover Variety: ‘we really like each other’”

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  1. Freebunny says:

    The cover is not flattering for Duchovny.
    Gillian Anderson is superb.

  2. Detritus says:

    Wow that panel is a lot of super hot people. Yes to Joel and Dana. No to Mulder. Which is not something I ever thought I’d say. Probably due to a combo of sex addiction stories and jowls.

    Will watch all episodes. Just finishing the horrible final season and the completionist in me won’t let me miss just six because they are bad. I’m already in too deep.

  3. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    I’m surprised that it took them until now to realize that it would be nice to collaborate. Duh.

    • Esmom says:

      I know, what were they doing before for so long if not collaborating?

    • Miss M says:

      The impression I had from the x-files panel i went back in 2013 is that she would ahow up and shoot her scenes and that’s it. He was more involved with production, he was able to answer more specific questions than she was…

  4. Naya says:

    Lmao. Its not “on” between them. This is classic fan servicing. They are giving you “we get along” and you are projecting your ‘shipping’ dreams on them . They are obviously under instruction to counter the old (confirmed) stories of how much they hated each other, just going by how frequently they keep saying that they do NOT hate each other anymore.

    • Lou says:

      MTE. Its so stupid. These shippers have to be in their 30s/40s at this point. They should know that real life is not a fairytale and the TV couple you want with all your heart to marry and live happily ever after is not gonna happen. Snap out of it!!!

    • Lilo says:

      They made up. They sat down several years ago and talked about what happend back then and really get along great now. But there’s nothing going on romantically. That’s what ppl think they see is happening, or want it to be true, but it’s not. They’ve known each other for almost 25 years now and even though they didn’t alway get along, there’s a bond. And yes, Gillian is often quite goofy and silly as to mask her anxiety. And David acts like her anchor. It’s a rapport they had for years, even when they hated each other (Golden Globes ’97, he held her hand throughout when news of her divorce broke and she was almost in tears every second of that night).

      • Naya says:

        Regarding GG 1997, thats sweet. Where did you hear/read that?

      • Lilo says:

        “Just hours before Gillian Anderson arrived at the 1997 Golden Globe Awards, the news broke that she and husband Clyde had separated. In a show of support and loyalty, co-star David Duchovny escorted her to the ceremony that evening, where she took home the award for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series.

        A&E’s Biography, 1998”

        They held hand all evening, only letting go for some photos of Gillian in her dress. She has always struggled with severy axiety and panic attacks and that why everybody thought she was such a b*tch, but truth is, she was fightened everytime she had to walk a red carpet. She tried covering with jokes and stuff, but still, people thought she was either high or really weird. But we’re all acting weird when trying to mask fear.

        Anyways, she’s better now with the press and the spotlight and all that- She’s 47 and really came into her own skin, so to say.

    • Div says:

      I totally agree that they are probably purposefully putting on a flirtatious vibe but I do buy that they are (platonic) friends and got over their tiff towards the end of the original series. Haven’t they been papped together in the past before this reboot even came around? It’s not like either one needed that random PR back then as she has been very successful in BBC dramas and all and he had Californication for several years….so I buy their friendship. Plus, they’ve known each other for over 20 years so I can see how that contributes to a strong bond regardless of any ups and downs.

      • Hadleyb says:

        They did have a romantic relationship early on during the show – they both confirmed that but afterwards I have no idea.

        She looks great and he looks ..old and busted. He was so hot.

        I never fond her sexy before, but as she got older she just oozes it. Maybe its the self confidence, I have no idea but I like it.

      • Paige says:

        Yes, they have been papped together and spoke of each other at other events, his music and book release in the recent years. I just think they are good friends who support each other projects.

    • Paige says:

      @Naya I think they are good friends. I don’t think it’s fake. Over the years, they have talked about their friendship and life during the X-Files filming and this was way before the reboot.

      They didn’t have anything X files related to promote then. They were do other projects. I don’t understand why it’s hard to believe two adults ages 47 and 55, who have known each other almost 25 years can’t be friends.

    • Luce says:

      That’s the way I’m interpreting it as well, Naya.

  5. dottylass says:

    Duchovny looks like a wax figure. I want to believe it’s because of terrible photoshop job.

  6. Lou says:

    Note to Gillian/David shippers. – it ain’t happening. They are promoting a TV series and have to play up the chemistry thing big time because clearly that is what hooks a lot of people in. Seriously, its pretty sad to still be insisting they are in some super secret relationship decades later, even though they both have been married and had kids and lived in different continents most of the time. Will this be what Larry Stylinson shippers are like in 20 years? Still insisting Louis and Harry are being forced by Modest to hide their love?

    I saw the trailer for the new episodes and it looks really cheesy and awkward with weird close ups.

  7. Freebunny says:

    Am I the only one who never shipped them or never shipped Mulder and Scully?
    Just curious.

  8. CFY says:

    Oooh people are salty this morning that some think Gillian and David are boning. Do you know for certain? Do you have a 24/7 dronecam on them? It wouldn’t surprise me if they were or were not, all I know is that over the last several years, when they are together I turn into the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. “Get married! Make babies! *to David* you look so OLD.”

    I watched X-Files religiously when it originally aired, for about 5 seasons, and it was my gateway into internet fandom (X-Files and Star Wars, so it’s a good year for this old fangirl). I was Mulder/Scully TRASH. Never shipped Gillian and David because they were with other people and it was obvious in interviews back then that they didn’t care much for each other. If they’re just flirty friends, boning, secretly living together, whatever, who cares? I like that they get along now. I will watch this revival even if it ends up being as disappointing as the movies.

  9. realitycheck says:

    Gillian looks beautiful! I am so excited to watch the premier.

  10. I want to believe says:

    I am super excited and will definitely watch all six episodes … I can’t wait and I can’t believe it’s been 23 years since the show started.

    I am also still definitely a ‘shipper (even though I’m in my 30s(!) and was in my very early teens when the show started). I find both the onscreen relationship of Mulder and Scully and the offscreen relationship of Duchovny and Anderson fascinating. Mulder and Scully are definitely soulmates, in love, etc. but Duchovny and Anderson just seem to have evolved over time and I enjoy watching them together. I think she’s become more confident and well known (and obv more beautifuly with time) and he seems so much more drawn to her now. Their adult relationship is pretty cool to see. They’re over the top flirty now, sure, and that is largely a promotion thing for the reboot, but in recent years as well, the compliments and chemistry offscreen have seemed pretty incredible (even when they had nothing to promote). It’s like they were just working too much in the early years and he had more star power but now they look back on it like a growing / bonding experience and they have a long standing and deep affection. I don’t think they’ve ever hooked up though but there’s a part of me that will always hope they end up together (onscreen and offscreen)!

  11. Minxx says:

    I WANT TO BELIEVE it’s on .. LOL.
    no, seriously, I know it’s not and I don’t even want it but I’ve always had a huge girl crush on Scully and I love them together so I’ll definitely watch it. And yes, I watch the stupid X-file movie (the second one) every time it’s on TV (Scully has the best hair in it). Gillian is getting better and better with age, seriously.

  12. frivolity says:

    Not surprised that Chris Carter’s episode is getting bad reviews. I really think he’s a hack. I said it before and I’ll say it again – I’m now firmly of the belief that the co-writers, especially Vince Gilligan – are what made this show. I’m all in for these six episodes, but I have a feeling I am not going to think much of them. Wish Vince were the headwriter. I fully trust him. He hasn’t disappointed yet. Chris Carter? Not so much.

    • Paige says:

      Chris Carter has written many great X-Files episodes: Duane Berry, The Host, Anasazi, Post Modern Prometheus, How The Ghost Stole Christmas, etc. The X-Files is a collaborative effort with great writers. We need the mythology and stand alone episodes. I’m looking forward to the revival. I’ve participated in the 201 episodes countdown.

  13. kri says:

    I am so excited for this. And Joel McHale…ooohhh.

  14. Jen43 says:

    This makes me so happy. I shipped Scully and Mulder big time, but never David and Gillian. They seemed like such different people. Plus, there were all those rumors of them not getting along, and Gillian was married (I think) 2 or 3 times during the show.

    I hope this is great. I will watch for nostalgia alone. Now if we can only get Jack Bauer back, I would be even happier.

  15. FF says:

    Are they getting on now necause he decided not to get paid three times as much as her and not tell her, then sue to get more money all while whining about where filming is set.

    lol, Sorry,*unresolved ax grinding* but he really got on my nerves during that period. I’m not surprised they fell out: he was a self-indulgent dick who thought the big screen was calling when he spent at least half of his TV scenes looking bored.

    I seriously think my love of that show benefitted from not knowing how overrated he was. I’m okay with Gillian since but I honestly happy when Robert Patrick replaced Duchovny. Not sure if I can relate to him as the character anymore, he comes off as hella more creepy.

    ps – lol, Not sure why CC gets so much flack. At worst his eps are indulgent af but he’s done plenty of consistently good eps. First of an unnecessary project is always the hardest. That said, I hope Darin Morgan’s ep gets some good Mulder drags in. And that the Morgan and Wong eps don’t suck. This is all I ask for really. Shame Vince Gilligan couldn’t do one.

    • d says:

      oh thank g*d i thought i was the only one who liked Robert Patrick! I reallt enjoyed his much more mature vibe. always felt bad for him that he didnt get as well served by hi time on xfiles

  16. Casi says:

    Duchovny looks like they applied the Brent-Spiner-as-Data filter here. I wonder if the switch to power him down is on the back of his head?

  17. FF says:

    CB, apparently FOX still thought that paying Anderson half as much as Duchovny was a good idea, despite the fact that TXF works because of the two of them. Nevermind that to my mind Gillian has been in better projects than David int the last few years.

    Will you be covering this? Particularly in light of recent celebrity commentary on feminism, equal pay, and prejudice in the industry.