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‘The X-Files’ Revival: Joel McHale Guest Starring, Robert Patrick Not Returning As Doggett

By Meredith Jacobs
Published on: 08:06 PST, Jun 3, 2015

The return of The X-Files may not be until next year, but fortunately, fans do not have to wait until then to find out what to expect in the upcoming six episodes. The latest news revolves around a new guest star and the status of a character from the original run returning.

Deadline has reported that Community‘s Joel McHale will be appearing in the new run of episodes on FOX next year. This is a guest starring role that in part came about because The X-Files creator Chris Carter is a fan of McHale’s work. While most know McHale for the comedy series Community, he has appeared on the FX drama series Sons of Anarchy.

As for McHale’s character on the revival, he will be guest starring as “Tad O’Malley, the anchor of a popular conservative internet news network who becomes an unlikely ally for Fox Mulder,” according to the report.

In addition to David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprising their roles as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in the X-Files revival, Mitch Pileggi will be returning as Walter Skinner. And as the Inquisitr previously reported, William B. Davis will be back as the Cigarette Smoking Man, despite the fate of his character at the end of the original TV series’ run. What that means for the Cigarette Smoking Man and when these six episodes will take place has yet to be revealed. Also returning, in addition to Chris Carter, are writer-producers Glen Morgan and James Wong.

Someone who won’t be returning is Robert Patrick’s John Doggett, as he told The Mary Sue during an interview that he won’t be stepping into his old X-Files‘ character’s shoes once again.

“I’ll set the record straight. I’m not going to do it. I’m very happy with the job I have. I’m on CBS – that’s a different network – and I’m content and happy and I don’t really see a reason to go and revisit that show. It’s not that I wouldn’t be interested… I just don’t know what the reason is to both at the same time.”

Patrick, who joined The X-Files in season 8 after Mulder’s disappearance, currently stars on CBS’ Scorpion, which was one of the first series the network renewed for the 2015-2016 season.

Finally, Glen Morgan has shared a couple of photos on Twitter as production gets underway on the X-Files revival series, and there’s a certain poster in one of the pictures that should make every fan of the show smile.

The X-Files returns to FOX in 2016. It will premiere on Sunday, January 24, 2016, after the NFC championship game.

[Image via FOX]

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joel mchale The X-Files Gillian Anderson David Duchovny
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