The Truth Is Out There: Things You Never Knew About ‘The X-Files’

4. Chris Carter Didn’t Think David Duchovny Was Very Bright At First

When David Duchovny auditioned for the part of true believer Fox Mulder, Chris Carter didn’t think he was very intelligent. That’s kind of funny when you consider that Duchovny has a BA in English Lit from Princeton and a Master of Arts from Yale. More than that, he’s extremely well read. Heck, the man’s poetry has won awards.

5. Gillian Anderson Almost Didn’t Get the Job

At first, the studio wanted an established personality to play Dana Scully’s no-nonsense agent. Then, when theater vet Anderson nailed the audition but the studio said they wanted someone “taller,” Chris Carter actually had to fight the studio to hire Anderson … the actress who subsequently cleaned up at awards ceremonies during the show’s run.

6. Mitch Pileggi Was Irked When He Auditioned For Skinner

Actor Mitch Pileggi as Walter Skinner, Mulder and Scully’s grumpy bureaucrat boss, was one of the more enjoyable aspects of the show. He had to audition four times before landing the role, however. The first few times he was called back left Pileggi a little bit bitter, which resulted in his grumpy attitude. Chris Carter, of course, assumed he was just acting well.