FOX’s revival of “The X-Files” has made headlines a handful of times due to its unfortunate gender inequality issues. First, we learned that Gillian Anderson was initially offered half of what David Duchovny was being paid to return, and more recently, the show came under fire for announcing an all-male writers room.
Thankfully, the pay issue was sorted out. As for the issue of the all-male creative team, which Anderson herself was unhappy about, that too has been addressed.
TV Line reports today that female filmmakers Carol Banker (“The Lone Gunmen”) and Holly Dale (“Grimm”) will both direct Season 11 episodes of “The X-Files.” They’ll be the third and fourth women in history to direct episodes of the series, behind Michelle MacLaren and Gillian Anderson.
Additionally, episodes will be written by Karen Nielson and Kristen Cloke & Shannon Hamblin.
Season 11 will feature 10 brand new episodes.
On the writing staff, Chris Carter once again reunites with former producers Glen Morgan, Darin Morgan and James Wong. The quartet will be joined by relative newcomers Gabe Rotter (a writers assistant on Season 9), Benjamin Van Allen (a writers assistant on Season 10) and Brad Follmer (Carter’s personal assistant during Season 8 and 9).
Production on Season 11 begins later this summer ahead of an early 2018 launch.