entertainment / Saturday, 23-Aug-2025

David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson Stage A Playfully Messy X-Files Reunion At An Awards Show (& Forget To Do Their Actual Job)

The X-Files co-stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson enjoyed a playfully awkward reunion during an appearance at the SAG Awards. The duo shot to global fame playing the iconic FBI agents Mulder and Scully in Chris Carter’s seminal science-fiction show, which first aired in 1993. The show’s initial run ended in 2002 after nine seasons, and the two then reprised their roles for the 2008 movie The X-Files: I Want To Believe. Despite a fairly public feud during the show’s original run, Duchovny and Anderson made up, and both returned for The X-Files revival, which ran from 2016-2018.

While presenting the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the SAG Awards, the two stars walked out onto the stage and exchanged awkward banter, pretending to lack chemistry and charisma. The duo then proceeded to engage in a playfully messy exchange about what makes good drama, with Duchovny awkwardly proclaiming "Timing," just before Anderson suggested "Chemistry." Check out the exchange in the X video below:

What This Exchange Means For Duchovny & Anderson's Relationship Since The X-Files

Their Awkward Staging Shows They Have Great Rapport

Gillian Anderson as Scully and David Duchovny as Mulder standing by flashing lights at a crime scene in The X-Files season 11.
Gillian Anderson as Scully and David Duchovny as Mulder in The X-Files season 11

Award ceremonies are often filled with plenty of incidents, and there will sometimes be exchanges or skits between stars who are presenting awards. But, to be able to stage an awkward exchange in a playful and believable way needs two stars who have a positive relationship to work well. While there is no question that Anderson and Duchovny's feud strained the relationship between the two stars in the past, it seems clear that they have made up, and are firm friends now.

One of the key factors that made The X-Files one of the best-written sci-fi shows of all time was the chemistry between its two leads, and this is something that Anderson and Duchovny were able to continue, despite off-camera issues.

Whether they might make more appearances together following their SAG Awards appearance remains to be seen, but fans of The X-Files will certainly be encouraged that the show's stars seem to be getting on much better. With Anderson having starred in Sex Education, and Duchovny playing Hank Moody in Californication, both actors are well-versed in comedy by this point.

Our Verdict On The Anderson & Duchovny Exchange

Their Chemistry Illustrates The Problems Disney's Reboot May Face

One of the key factors that made The X-Files one of the best-written sci-fi shows of all time was the chemistry between its two leads, and this is something that Anderson and Duchovny were able to continue, despite off-camera issues. Disney's The X-Files reboot faces a lot of big challenges, and it's unlikely the show will be able to replicate the chemistry Anderson and Duchovny brought to Mulder and Scully. Many might be hopeful to see the two legacy characters make guest appearances in the upcoming X-Files reboot, but this feels unlikely, and that could cause a problem for the show.

Source: SAG Awards/X

x-files

Your Rating

The X-Files
8/10
86
8.9/10
Release Date
1993 - 2018-00-00
Network
FOX
Showrunner
Chris Carter
Directors
Chris Carter
Writers
Chris Carter
Franchise(s)
The X-Files

Cast

See All

The X-files takes the police procedural formula and applies it to sci-fi mysteries. Conspiracy theorist Fox Mulder and skeptic Dana Scully team up to solve cases surrounding alien invasions and other unexplained, paranormal phenomena.

Main Genre
Sci-Fi
Seasons
11
Story By
Chris Carter
Streaming Service(s)
Hulu, Dis

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