The presidential portrait is a series staple onThe X-Files. And a new behind-the-scenes photo shared by returning starGillian Andersonreveals that it is back in place. Though, last time the show was on the air in 2002, President George W. Bush was in office. And he was still in office when the last movie,The X-Files: I Want to Believe, hit theaters in July of 2008.Barack Obamawas elected President just a few short months later, but this is the first time his presence will be felt on the show. About the President photobombing her selfie, which also includes co-starsDavid DuchovnyandMitch Pileggi,Gillian Andersonhad this to say.
“Best photo bomb in @thexfiles history!”
Gillian Andersontweeted out the photo, which you can see below, on Wednesday. She is seen in full character as Dana Scully, in what is presumably one of the upcoming episodes from the as yetUntitled X-Files Revival. The show, which hasn’t been on the air for 14 years, is coming back in January with 6 all-new episodes, which Fox has labeled an event series. Though, all of the actors are open to returning for even more episodes in the future.
Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully is flanked byDavid Duchovny’s FBI partner Fox Mulder. Also included in the photo is returning actorMitch Pileggi, who reprises his role as Walter Skinner, the boss of Mulder and Scully. This is one of the first images of the actor taken on set since his return. And of course, hanging on the wall of Skinner’s FBI office for the first time in series history, it isBarack Obama, photobombing in the background. He looks quite happy to be part of the fun.
A sitting president portrait isn’t just an iconic staple ofThe X-Files. Most television series that revolve around federal agencies pay homage and tribute to any living president (even when they aren’t so beloved, as was often the case with George W. Bush). It isn’t yet clear if this particular inclusion will get the Presidential Seal of Approval fromBarack Obama. We are still waiting for the President to weight in. We’ll definitely update you if he decides to call an urgent press meeting about the whole thing.
It was just recently announced thatAnnabeth Gishis set to reprise her role asFBI agent Monica Reyeson the X-Files Revival. She joins a growing list of stars from theoriginal seriesthat also includesWilliam B. Davis(The Cigarette Smoking Man), the computer hacker group known asThe Lone Gunmen,Dean Haglund(Ringo Langly), Tom Braidwood (Frohike) and Bruce Harwood (Byers), and Sheila Larken asDana Scully’s mother, Margaret Scully. New additions to the cast includeJoel McHaleas news anchor Tad O’Malley, who becomes an unlikely ally toMulder, and Annet Mahendru as Sveta, a woman who, according to a report from last week, was abducted byaliensand is the “key to everything”.Robbie AmellandLauren Ambrosealso star as FBI agents Miller and Einstein.Rhys DarbyandKumail Nanjianihave also joined the cast but their roles have yet to be identified. With Reyes coming back, it is heavily speculated thatRobert Patrickwill also be back as FBI agent John Doggett, though that has yet to be confirmed. Hopefully if he does return, we get to learn that he is the long lost father of Tiffany “Pennsatucky” Doggett, which would provide an excellent crossover withOrange Is the New Black.
The6-Episode X-Files Event Seriesbegins its 2-night premiere immediately following the NFC Championship Game Sunday, Aug 03, 2025, on Fox (airtime to be determined) and will continue with the second episode on Monday, Jan. 25 (8-9 p.m. ET). As more and more pictures come in, are you getting more and more excited for the return of Mulder and Scully? Take a look asBarack Obamaphotobombs the cast!
