THE X-FILES: Hulu officially wants to believe…

The truth was out there and now – after months of development – it’s back, as Ryan Coogler’s vision of The X-Files‘ formally gets a spooky green light and a confirmed series order from hulu.

The project has long been a passion project for the Oscar winning writer director and there had been talk of a reboot for several years.

“I’ve loved The X-Files for a long time, so getting the chance to write and direct the pilot has meant a great deal to me,” Coogler said. “What (original series showrunner) Chris Carter created is special, and we wanted to honor everything that made the original series connect with so many people while also finding our own way into that world.”

The new series appears to be something of a ‘soft’ reboot, which could act as a continuation of the original in some respects but will have a new cast and set of characters. The description for the series states that it will follow: “…two highly decorated but vastly different FBI agents who form an unlikely bond when they are assigned to a long-shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena…”

The two agents in question are not Mulder and Scully (so there’s always the chance of a reappearance from original stars Gillian Anderson or David Duchovny if Coogler decided to tie it to the classic run more closely).  Anderson has indicated that she likes Coogler’s work and talked with him and has not dismissed an appearance. The main characters  – as yet unnamed – for this new run will be played by Himesh Patel (Yesterday, EastEnders, Station Eleven) and Danielle Deadwyler (Woman in the Yard, Rooster, The Bear, Euphoria, Station Eleven, Watchmen, Atlanta).

“Danielle and Himesh, along with the rest of our cast, have brought such original perspectives and performances to these characters, and watching that come together has been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. I couldn’t have asked for better collaborators than my crew, colleagues at Proximity Media and our partners at Onyx Collective and 20th Television. I’m grateful for the trust and support they’ve given us as we take on this new chapter,” his statement continued.