The Smoking Man and Skinner will return for THE X-FILES

Love or hate it, the new limited season of The X-Files is going full-steam ahead. We already know that Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny will return for their headline roles. I must admit I look forward to seeing Duchovny switch from Californication‘s Hank Moody back into Agent Mulder mode. The characters are total polar opposites – Moody and Mulder would never get along and Duchovny’s ability to play both has bred a new level of respect from me.

Now we can add two more staple characters: Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) and the Smoking Man (William B. Davis) are also back in the fold, reprising their roles. Skinner was the long-tortured boss of Mulder and Scully, a character that eventually started helping Mulder when he realised that sinister things were indeed afoot. The Smoking Man also needs little introduction: he is the sinister black ops guy who seemed to be behind the major alien invasion conspiracy that Mulder uncovered in the quest to find his sister. Real name C.G.B. Spender, the smoking man became the show’s main villain and even had several episodes of his own.

Duchovny announced the news on the David Letterman show:

Want more? Here is an interview with Duchovny about the new season and why Mulder was a terrible FBI agent.

So the new X-Files, which will have a limited 6-episode run, is coming together. But who else would you like to see return?

Last Updated: April 2, 2015