Gillian Anderson Rewatches The X-Files, Sex Education, Scoop & More | Vanity Fair

Gillian Anderson takes a walk down memory lane as she rewatches scenes from her classic works including 'The X-Files,' 'Sex Education,' 'The Crown,' 'The Fall,' and her newest film 'Scoop.' Gillian dishes on realizing how big 'The X-Files' was after seeing a tattoo of her face on a buttcheek, being blown away in the moment by Rufus Sewell's acting in 'Scoop' and so much more.
Director: Adam Lance Garcia
Director of Photography: Jack Belisle
Editor: Cory Stevens
Talent: Gillian Anderson
Producer: Madison Coffey
Line Producer: Romeeka Powell
Associate Producer: Lyla Neely
Production Manager: Andressa Pelachi
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Talent Booker: Meredith Judkins
Camera Operator: Christopher Eustache
Gaffer: David Djaco
Audio Engineer: Mike Guggino
Production Assistant: Sonia Butt
Post Production Supervisor: Christian Olguin
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Additional Editor: Paul Tael
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
00:00 Gillian Anderson
00:29 The X-Files
04:03 Sex Education
07:13 The Crown
09:31 Hannibal
11:36 The Fall
13:18 Scoop
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[@NextToToddliness]

Gillian Anderson is the definition of cool.

[@denisefreitas6727]

Totally agree! ❤

[@khairulbasirrudin732]

My very 1st TV crush..and I didnt even realized it at the time! 😂

[@rememberremember5106]

Beyond Cool , mega Cool ❤

[@grumpynovelist]

Agreed.

[@AVerySillySausage]

A different adjective I think.

[@superhillsider]

I am one of those 6 million people that has ‘I want to believe’ poster that Gillian has signed, but mine is truly unique.

No, you're a liar----which isn't unique for you.

[@NativeAsElizabethWarren]

Oh ya? How is yours unique?

[@CallOfCutie69]

@@NativeAsElizabethWarren it’s a sarcasm

[@ChrispyNut]

I want believe it's unique.

[@pagliacci2942]

Gillian looks great. What an awesome hairstyle. I understand that she wants to move beyond the X Files, but just being reminded of that pilot- wow, that performance of hers is still so captivating. She completely embodied Dana Scully. The naivete, the intellect, and tenaciousness.

[@zenabraithwaite1934]

X- files was phenomenal in it's first few seasons.

[@justaname999]

this! she created a character with so much depth and so many facets, based on writing that was often ok at best (although some of the writers on the show were outstanding!)

[@potatopirate5557]

She was exquisite in Hannibal. It doesn't get mentioned enough.

[@Uruk02]

Her medicine 😅

[@Temeraire101]

Completely agree 😍

[@rampagingshark]

Yeah it does. She even talked about the character and what she was about

[@Uruk02]

@rampagingshark she was hot elegant lady in it ,specially in Europe

[@janelb7571]

Definitely recommend The Fall, if you liked her in Hannibal!

[@andyny29]

I’m an original “X-Phile.”Meaning that I’ve been watching X-files since the premiere on September 10, 1993. Still my all time favorite tv show. Loved the great but wonderfully muted chemistry between Mulder and Scully. See the third season episode “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” and tell me it’s not one of the greatest episodes of television ever. ❤❤

[@mama3bucks]

I love this episode! My favorite!

[@teruphoto]

5:15 The way she frequently switches accents in real life always throws me off guard 😅

[@deadringer444]

It’s really cool watching her brain adjust to things in real-time!!! Like honestly amazing she can naturally house these two accents

[@joeylozano4215]

Her and Anna Paquin lol 😆

[@florenciaalvez-georgeoglou7254]

I think it’s also that she was watching herself speak in the other accent and she switched automatically😂

[@malalford]

I thought she was just American, then i found out much later she moved to the UK when she was very young, then she moved back to the Americas and then back to the UK in 2002.

[@NanoPolymer]

I'm a huge fan of The X-Files, and I'm currently rewatching it for the umpteenth time. And you know what? I'm still finding new things to love about it.

[@katia.sartori]

Agree!

[@davidlape3325]

Love The X-Files. My favorite series of all time. Gillian Anderson is phenomenally talented and beautiful.👽❤️

[@mrbear1302]

I remember getting together with friends on Friday nights for an X files party to watch the episode.....

[@alvarezandre]

All her characters are the type of woman that I don't know if I wanna be with or I wanna be. Specially Bedelia and Stella. She is f*cking perfection in everything she does.

A little over-dramatic, don't you think. Geez.

[@mvdum29]

Your comment is a little bit unnecessary, don't you think? It's the internet. Land of hyperbole. 😆

[@alvarezandre]

@@mvdum29 If I thought it was unnecessary I wouldn't have written it. So no, I don't think it is a little bit unnecessary. Yours, on the other hand...

[@mvdum29]

@@alvarezandre Oh my friend I was poking fun at the comment above me. Not you. I agree with YOU. 😺

[@GuitarJosh161]

How about Margaret Thatcher!

[@zmani4379]

Gillian Anderson is one of the very best actresses working today - but her career doesn't always reflect her ability, her range and audacity - her most astonishing performances are in House of Mirth and Streetcar Named Desire, two of the best onscreen performances ever IMO - give her more intricate, classical roles like this, which she can really sink her teeth into

[@toms5996]

I agree completely that she absolutely shines in the more nuanced but yet powerful roles. What comes to her more 'known tv roles', her subtlety on 'Hannibal' drove the series a lot despite her role being a minor one. 'Streetcar' is up there with her most powerful performances.

[@pigndog]

Oh Scully and Mulder 😍 i can rewatch the whole show again ❤

[@alistairmscott]

I did, last year. They've all been remastered in HD. They've done a phenomenal job on the remastering, they look like they were made yesterday. The whole show stands up exceptionally well and really shows just how far ahead of its time it was. Rewatch it! You won't be disappointed..

[@LoomisPC]

@@alistairmscott totally!! I rewatch every 2-3 years I would say. I think I have seen the series 7 times maybe? It holds up incredibly well

[@cattiedoggie8]

She’s so CHIC and an INCREDIBLE talent! Iconic as Stella in “The Fall”!

[@Andrew-Antioch-Kim]

Gillian Anderson is so talented and ageless!

[@craighall9289]

Just to watch her observe, distill, and articulate here is a masterclass in itself.

[@perryjones7771]

The legend herself. I hope she wins an Oscar one day.

[@sailorarwen6101]

She’s not gunna win an Oscar doing tv shows which is pretty much all she’s done.

[@NativeAsElizabethWarren]

Lol she’s never winning an Oscar. MAYBE an Emmy, but even then probably no.

[@renee1724]

@@NativeAsElizabethWarren she's already won two emmys you dum dum

[@justaname999]

@@NativeAsElizabethWarren Didn't she just win an emmy a couple of years ago?

[@duchessnicole]

@@NativeAsElizabethWarren She's won multiple Emmys already

[@koerel]

Gillian Anderson is a f***ing icon!

[@autumnchristy2631]

her career is so astounding that she continues to be successful

[@chloew_green]

Sort of wish they'd shown her some later seasons of the x files when she fully came into her character and got to showcase the confidence, talent and power she held. Lovvvve all of the things she's been in and I'm so happy we got to witness her looking back on them

[@amy-jane3610]

Loved this interview!

[@OriginalEntitySourced]

Edit: all this time I was convinced that she was born in the UK I didn't know that she was actually born in Chicago that's insane. The way her accent has amalgamated into kind of British kind of American is fascinating to me so cool she seems such a chill person

[@graciend]

5:18 the british accent peaking through 😭

[@andreaalban2148]

I've seen so many interviews with her and this is my favorite mannerism of hers. When she's in the States, she has an American accent, but her British accent will sometimes peek through. I love it hehe

[@josephamato2031]

I didn't know she waa British

[@pixiewings21_9]

Gillian as Scully is a goddess. Her performance as Thatcher was shocking in a marvellous way. But Stella Gibson - that dance she does with Spector, oh my! Jamie Dornan is a much better actor than all that 50 Shades nonsense would have you believe, and he and Gillian played perfectly off each other.

[@mmz5076]

I didn't appreciate Dornan until I watched The Fall. They were both fascinating in these series.

[@klefdnb]

she's so beautiful and talented it's amazing

[@claremurphy12]

Awesome! I love her acting and the roles she plays to perfection, love her directness and how well spoken she is. I absolutely loved her in The Fall- how she handled men, how she carried herself. Extremely elegant, honest, classy, confident, supportive towards women… brilliant woman . 😊

[@mgg1991]

I'm so thrilled they asked her about Hannibal! One of my favourite parts she ever did - that show honestly doesn't get enough love.

[@joshkresnik6402]

Teacher: define perfection Me: *holds up picture of Gillian Anderson* Random kid: that’s not a definition Teacher: I’ll allow it

[@misshell]

The X-Files was a defining moment in history for my generation.

[@DanaScully0709]

i'm such a huge fan of gillian- she is so incredibly talented ✨

[@priscillaserretti4850]

I've met gillian once and let me tell you all she is the most beautiful woman in the world and she smells like paradise

[@claudiamorelli4018]

so true.i met her too in London many years ago!! she is just a wonderful human being and a very attractive woman :)

[@RikiTakeuchi10]

I want to believe.

[@steveyi2859]

You smelled her?

[@priscillaserretti4850]

@@steveyi2859 yes when we hugged

[@eeeezypeezy]

Her performances on Hannibal and The Fall give me goosebumps just remembering them, she is so phenomenal when she's given these dark, complex women to bring to life

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

Gillian's class and star power is legend which shines here!

[@Nbelenitskaya]

I remember watching the X-files as a teenage girl an being so much into Mulder. It's now hard to believe but was so number 2 for me then. And now I'm 40 now and I want to be like Gillian when I grow up. It's her who is dazzling and perfectly great.

[@MegaAtomium]

She's always great. I loved her in Bleak House.

[@denisefreitas6727]

I had an "I want to believe" poster! 😅 Love Gillian! Great actress and cool person! ❤

[@AM-np3hf]

Great to see this. Gillian is one of the very nice celebs. When I was just a young lad working in the biz as a grunt early on in her career she was super cool. Miss seeing her around.

[@jakesmith5278]

I still remember when this episode aired. I was a freshmen in high school. It seems like forever ago. The memories.

[@davidsmarrt4049]

She did an amazing job as Margret Thatcher 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@anakarina9505]

It's kind of sad that she doesn't appreciate Scully as much as this character deserves. Gillian needs to know that she was great as Scully, she was young back then and she was perfect.😊

[@jackdaw99]

I think I’m straight but this lady has done something with me since I first saw her in the X Files way back when. I can’t explain it.

[@lauracgc]

I love how her normal accent is some bizzare British / American combo now. The modern transatlantic accent haha She’s so striking 😊

[@whatabouttheearth]

She's apparently always has been like that, she was born in the US then moved to England as a kid, then moved back to the US when she was 11, then later moved back to England and on and on. She's one of those rare types of people that preserve two accents naturally. And if I'm not mistaken one of her parents is English.

[@whatabouttheearth]

She's apparently always has been like that, she was born in the US then moved to England as a kid, then moved back to the US when she was 11, then later moved back to England and on and on. She's one of those rare types of people that preserve two accents naturally. And if I'm not mistaken one of her parents is English.

[@lauracgc]

@@whatabouttheearth oh I know, but I feel like she used to be better at flip flopping in interviews hahah

[@mikekaraoke]

@@whatabouttheearth Moved back to the US when she was 12, but her folks kept their place in England they would go back there every Summer without fail until Gillian movd back there perm in 2002 😀 No both her folks are American!

[@amanduuuh_7117]

She is such a chameleon!! I am so glad she is getting so many chances to shine lately, she is a brilliant actress.

[@zitapuskas2772]

Omg!!!! Yes, please!!! She is a legend!❤❤❤❤

[@malesbacabuku]

Gillian, you're my hero. Being an FBI agent like Dana Scully was one of my first childhood aspirations. I was 8 or 9, and I lived (still do) so far away in Indonesia! No internet at that time, mind you. In junior high, I was seriously considering to get into forensics (though I did not because my parents didn't approve and I hated biology). You and Scully are an inspiration for little girls around the world.

[@basicstype994]

Love her since forever!

[@imogen5141]

I absolutely loved The Fall

[@emilywiggins1295]

Dana Scully has been an icon in my life since my brother introduced the show to me when I was 11. X-Files will always be one of my top favorites

[@brianriley2488]

Brilliant. Love it. Thankyou. 👍🙏

[@musicsoothesthesoul6001]

I hope You & David do more X files. ❤❤ it was great series.

[@nowthenzen]

it's interesting how she goes in and out of her accent depending on the audience.

[@nobodyexceptme7794]

Scully!!!!!

[@rmm4684]

Impossible to pick a "best" performance because they are all stellar. The fact that she can walk into each role and be fantastic is the true story- what a gift!

[@ApricusInaros]

My favourite actress and Sewell is fantastic too!

[@CatherineCarmene]

She’s amazing, MOTHER

[@MrRozzwell]

Brisco County Jnr! Really wish they had continued to develop it.

[@christinejalandoni5919]

She will always be Scully to me 😆

[@johnnywhite274]

There is no tv show that I desperately and patiently waited for more than X-Files.

[@joannamontagnino2023]

My absolute favorite show! Original watcher. Had posters and everything! My daughter is named after her❤

[@kathryn1304]

Love her in everything she does!

[@12theplace]

amazing actress

[@stpnlll]

As pretty as she was as a young woman, she is simply gorgeous today

[@lanicaraballo8662]

Amen!! She is incredible

[@robster6162]

Utterly criminal that Bleak House was not featured here as it is absolutely outstanding. Her performance as “ Lady Dedlock “ was ( is ) on a whole different level. Incredible & profoundly moving ❤🎉

[@spreiselbeerleprv]

I just love Gillian Anderson! 😍

[@centocerez]

My all time crush since I was 14....

[@moviesbye9294]

Brisco County was awesome!

[@pearlgee5970]

I’ve been a massive fan of Ms. Anderson since the X-Files! Excellent actor, hysterical and beautiful!

[@Yogi2661]

Amazing actress. Well done Gillian

[@andreeapopa7317]

i couldn't take my eyes off. wonderful!

[@MrGyngve]

When I saw The Crown and Thatcher first appearance, I had no clue she was portrayed by Anderson. I found out by coincidence and my jaw dropped. Superb acting by Anderson in my humble opinion!

[@CarlosDRMX]

love her 🧡🧡🧡

[@sofia_ines]

Great actress in everything she does! Love it all ❤ For me , she will always be Scully! ❤

[@sagefaribole]

I love Gillian Anderson!! ❤

[@jackhuang8560]

Love X files ❤❤❤

[@Yogi2661]

Was just talking about The X-Files last night. Groundbreaking television

[@primis82]

Gillian is amazing ❤❤❤

[@datingissuchadrag8461]

She's so fabulous

[@PSYCHROCKS5]

Scully and Stella changed my life. Powerful women that changed my perspective on femininity

[@valerieladeda]

Fascinating. ❤

[@tobiasfalk9112]

No series ever has seen its material elevated like that. Andersson and Duchovny could turn any plot into television gold.

[@line8969]

Loved her in Hannibal and SE 🎉

[@Abbynow]

I love her so much ❤

[@PandoraI]

Looks stunning! Aging so gracefully.

[@ScaleScarborough-jq8zx]

A fine wine - or maybe it’s been long enough since I heard a Scully rationalism.

[@TranzVangal]

Luv her in x files

[@user-sr4vj9sw2o]

She was terrific as Thatcher in The Crown

[@maddyc2412]

I loved her in Bleak House and Hannibal

[@dejjibd424]

Need to re watch X Files

[@juhajarkkoulvila7041]

Just love your heels!

[@hanacatfolk5792]

We love you Gillian!

[@SEllisTV]

The Fall is one of the best shows EVER

[@sarahlesniak6864]

She is the crush (love) of my life 🥹🫠

[@rmannayr2129]

GILLIAN IS A GREAT ACTRESS!

[@rmannayr2129]

SHE IS SO COOL!

[@Blehbluh]

What a Queen she is ❤

[@CozyGameJunkie]

binge watching xfiles in disney plus. cant believe shes agent scully. 😮❤❤❤

[@charlesschaefer7354]

Gillian is so fricken hot I love everything she has done she is by far the hardest crush I have ever had never missed an episode of the X-Files no matter what I had going on in the 90's!

[@millsykooksy4863]

I love her

[@stefanbuzea9744]

Gillian Anderson it's look amazing,it"s so beoutifoul!❤❤

[@rmannayr2129]

YES THE X FILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bentorres4620]

She is so beautiful

[@alparker2616]

Best epi has to be the Christmas one with Lilly tomlin and ed asner. Great epi