Every Actor Officially Confirmed for Ryan Coogler’s The X-Files Reboot (Including a Horror Icon)

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The X-Files originally aired for nine seasons on Fox, then had two movies and a brief revival with stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. While the revival seasons were met with mixed reviews, the show remains a landmark in science fiction television. Now, Ryan Coogler is taking on the challenge of rebooting the series. Reviving The X-Files without its original stars is a significant risk, but Coogler has earned a strong reputation in Hollywood. His successful films, including Creed, Black Panther, and Sinners – for which he won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay – give people confidence in his ability to do the show justice.

Ryan Coogler is personally directing the pilot episode of the new The X-Files, and he’s brought along some frequent collaborators, like cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw and casting director Francine Maisler. Jennifer Yale, known for her work on The Copenhagen Test, will be the showrunner for the rest of the series, and original executive producer Chris Carter is also returning. Filming for the pilot has already started in Vancouver – the same location used for the first seasons of the original show – so we’ll soon find out who the new cast members are.

10) Sofia Grace Clifton

Sofia Grace Clifton has recently been in shows like The Muppets Mayhem and Station 19. As a new face in the industry, her casting in the X-Files reboot brings some fresh energy to a show largely filled with established actors. Reports indicate the first episode of the reboot will center around an investigation involving Indigenous communities and a missing woman with a connection to a young girl. If this is the case, Clifton might play the part of that young girl.

9) Lochlyn Munro

Lochlyn Munro is a hardworking actor who’s been in a lot of popular projects over the years. You might recognize him from comedies like Scary Movie, Freddy vs. Jason, and White Chicks. He’s also well-known for his long-running role as Hal Cooper, who was revealed to be the Black Hood, on the TV show Riverdale. More recently, he appeared as police officer Larry Fitzgibbon in James Gunn’s Peacemaker. He’s also been cast in the new X-Files, but details about his character haven’t been released yet.

8) Joel D. Montgrand

I’ve been so impressed watching Joel D. Montgrand lately! He really stood out to me as Eddie Qavvik in the new True Detective: Night Country series. I’m also excited to see he’s playing Hakoda in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix, and he was great in Beans too. You might also recognize him from guest roles in shows like DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Altered Carbon. I recently heard whispers about him being in the X-Files reboot as a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer, and honestly, that role feels perfect for the kinds of characters he’s been playing.

7) Tantoo Cardinal

Tantoo Cardinal is a highly respected Indigenous actress who has had a remarkable five-decade career with over 130 film and television roles. She’s known for her work in popular films like Dances with Wolves, Legends of the Fall, and Wind River, and recently appeared in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. On TV, she’s had recurring roles in shows like Stumptown, 3 Pines, Echo, and the final season of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. Because of her consistent work portraying Indigenous characters, reports about the plot of the X-Files reboot are gaining attention.

6) Devery Jacobs

Devery Jacobs quickly became well-known in Hollywood after starring in the comedy series Reservation Dogs, created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi. Her performance as Elora Danan earned her two Critics’ Choice Award nominations and one Gotham Award nomination over the show’s three seasons. In addition to Reservation Dogs, Jacobs also appeared in the Marvel series Echo. Now, she’s joining the cast of the X-Files reboot in an as-yet-unspecified role, continuing a trend of Indigenous actors being cast in the series.

5) Ben Foster

Ben Foster is a consistently acclaimed American film actor, particularly known for his strong performances in supporting roles over the last twenty years. He’s won both an Independent Spirit Award for Hell or High Water (with Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges) and an Emmy for his role in the Showtime film Bang Bang You’re Dead. He’s appeared in notable films like 3:10 to Yuma, Lone Survivor, Leave No Trace, and Emancipation. More recently, he starred in the boxing drama Christy alongside Sydney Sweeney, playing the legendary fighter Christy Martin, and Motor City, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

4) Steve Buscemi

Steve Buscemi has become a celebrated character actor over the past forty years, known for memorable roles in films like Fargo and The Big Lebowski. He’s also won a Daytime Emmy for his web series, Park Bench with Steve Buscemi, and starred as Nucky Thompson in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire for five seasons. Recently, he appeared in the second season of Netflix’s Wednesday and is currently filming Wild Horses Nine with John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell. He’s also joining the new X-Files revival as a guest star, likely appearing in just one episode, though details about his role are still unknown.

3) Amy Madigan

Amy Madigan is joining the new X-Files series after receiving widespread praise and recently winning an Academy Award for her performance in the horror film Weapons. At 75, she became the second-oldest actress to ever win in the supporting category, and this win came four decades after her first Oscar nomination for the 1985 film Twice in a Lifetime – a record gap between nominations. While her role in the X-Files pilot is still a secret, casting such a celebrated horror actress suggests creator Coogler wants to surprise viewers and play with their assumptions about the show.

2) Himesh Patel

Himesh Patel is taking on the lead role in the new The X-Files series, following in the footsteps of David Duchovny and bringing a fresh perspective to the show. Patel has been steadily gaining recognition for his work in films like Tenet and Yesterday, and the critically praised miniseries Station Eleven. He’s also going to be in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey. In the reboot, he plays a brand-new FBI agent investigating unexplained events in a previously closed division – a character created specifically for this series, and not a remake of Fox Mulder. Patel, along with his co-star Danielle Deadwyler, is also an executive producer on the pilot episode, demonstrating a strong commitment to the project beyond just acting.

1) Danielle Deadwyler

Danielle Deadwyler has received critical acclaim for her acting, including nominations for a SAG Award and a BAFTA for her role as Mamie Till-Mobley in Till, and another SAG nomination for The Piano Lesson. She recently starred in The Woman in the Yard and appeared in the Netflix film Carry-On. She was the first actor cast in the upcoming reboot, a month before another lead was announced. Instead of reprising a familiar character, Deadwyler will play a completely new role created specifically for the show.

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2026-05-14 20:15