New X-Files Series: 10 Things Fans Want

10. The Original Stars Must Come Back In Some Capacity

Be honest - you don't even remember that Cary Elwes (Saw, Robin Hood: Men In Tights) and Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) had recurring roles on the final season of The X-Files. One of the big hopes of the show's producers in its final years was that it could live on without stars Gillian Anderson and David Duchovney, especially the latter, who had already escaped his contract and had big screen dreams like David Caruso before him. Only it never worked out for either party. While Robert Patrick's John Doggett was a solid addition in a pinch (and earned Patrick a Saturn award), Anabeth Gish's Monica Reyes put fans to sleep, and by the time Elwes and Lawless joined the cast, viewers barely took notice. As for Duchovney - he starred in the alien comedy Evolution, and little else, until returning to television with Californication. Unlike contemporaries Law and Order and E.R., which had revolving door casts, The X-Files relied heavily on the chemistry between its leads, and the will they/won't they romance between them. Producers themselves can be blamed for milking fan interest in the relationship question for so long. Shippers - fans of the opinion that Mulder and Scully should be together - weren't interested in seeing anything but their beloved couple, and the final season saw the show with its lowest numbers since its sophomore year. That means that in order for a revival or new series to work, Anderson and Duchovney must come back. Full time may be a little too much to ask for, especially since Gillian Anderson currently stars in both The Fall on the BBC and in NBC's Hannibal, but both actors have said they're interested. Fox must have both in at least a recurring capacity, and preferably lead roles at least to start.