Is Gillian Anderson leaving The X-Files (for good) after season 11?

Is Gillian Anderson leaving The X-Files after the upcoming season 11? We’re probably greedy even wanting her to do more of the show. This is not something we ever expected to see a few years ago, and we’re grateful that the show came back for a season 10 and (now) a season 11. Nonetheless, here we are wondering if there could be something bringing a potential season 12 to a halt.

Anderson made some of her comments suggesting that her time on the show could be over in an interview with reporters (per Screen Rant) at New York Comic-Con, noting that “I think this will be it for me” when asked if she wants to do more following this coming season. When then asked why she decided to come back for the eleventh season, she made it clear that it had to do with offering up more closure:

“…It felt like it wasn’t over. It didn’t feel like we necessarily deliver everything the fans were expecting of us last time, and so it was that.”

With William being a big part of the upcoming season in one form or another, it’s possible that with that storyline wrapped up The X-Files will probably have some of that closure. We do know that most things in show business do have an end date to them, and maybe after all this time season 11 is it for this franchise.

Nonetheless, there are two things to remember here when reading these quotes from Anderson.

1. This is fall 2017 – Anderson may mean this now, but who is to say that come spring 2018 or later that she will change her mind? Given that Fox seems to be doing these seasons every two years there is plenty of time in between for Gillian to regain interest.

2. Fox isn’t saying it is the end – The network told the aforementioned publication that the actress “has not commented on returning as it’s premature in that she is currently filming the new event series.” Nothing is therefore set in stone 100%. Time will tell and we look forward to seeing what sort of stories we get a chance to see from here on out.

For the time being, our advice for season 11 is the same as it was for season 10 — just enjoy it! If this happens to be the end for The X-Files then we’ll deal with that then. We’re lucky at CarterMatt to cover it just as everyone is pretty lucky to be able to watch it. If nothing else there are plenty of other great venues to watch Gillian, including some of her past work on Hannibal (we’re still hoping it comes back) along with The Fall.

Do you think that The X-Files should end if Gillian Anderson is done?

Let us know what you think in the comments!

Also be sure to head over here if you want to see the latest X-Files season 11 trailer via New York Comic-Con. Meanwhile like us on Facebook if you want to get more news on this show and others we cover. (Photo: Fox.)