Fox Has “No Plans” for More X-Files—And Thats a Good Thing

Update (May 14, 12:35 P.M.): Gillian Anderson has addressed Foxs decision on Twitter, noting the shows low ratings:

The original post continues below.

Fox is done with The X-Files. On Monday, network chairman and C.E.O. Gary Newman announced in a conference call that “there are no plans to do another season at the moment,” taking a cue from star Gillian Anderson, who previously vowed that the 11th season of the sci-fi series would be her last.

The X-Files, a beloved series for decades, ended its 11th season in March. And though the reboot earned its fair share of nostalgia hype, it couldnt capture that same excitement in the ratings. (The Season 10 finale racked up 7.6 million viewers vs. the 3.4 million viewers who tuned in for the Season 11 finale.)

Of course, shows these days are measured by more than just ratings, and nostalgia grabs have proven to be a guaranteed way to land a captive audience. However, its hard for viewers to dive back into a touchstone like this when one of its key stars has made it clear they wont be coming back. Last December, Anderson firmly stated that the 11th season of the show would be her last. “Ive said from the beginning this is it for me,” she confirmed to TV Insider. She happily paraded this fact on social media, dubbing behind-the-scenes images as the “last” this or that.

And what is The X-Files without Andersons Dana Scully? The redheaded F.B.I. agent and medical doctor is, without a doubt, one of the most influential TV characters of the last few decades, thanks to Andersons steely portrayal. A recent study showed that women who watched the series were 50 percent more likely to pursue careers in STEM, a phenomenon known as “the Scully Effect.” How much more consequential could a TV character get? Without Scully, future iterations of the show would never be the same. If Fox really is done with it, maybe thats for the best.

Prior to Anderson doubling down on her vow, X-Files creator Chris Carter told Collider that he could see the series carrying on in myriad media, from more episodes to a third movie. However, he did note that the show, for him, is all in Anderson and David Duchovny. “If it were without Scully, I wouldnt do it,” he said. “Thats not my X-Files.”

That said, knowing that Anderson was firm about not returning didnt stop Carter from ending Season 11 on a cliffhanger that only seemed like bait for Anderson to return. Spoiler alert: the finale ends with Scully finding out that shes pregnant with Mulders child. Its a jarring plot twist that changes the trajectory of both their lives, without offering any clue as to how the characters will handle this in the future. Plenty of X-Files fans were irritated by this decision—it was, for all intents and purposes, supposed to be the absolute series finale—with Anderson herself expressing her not-so-subtle solidarity with fans on Twitter.

But, as Carter later explained in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he also thinks theres “more life” in the show, and doesnt really want it to be over.

“While it would never be the same without Gillian, as I was saying, I do think there are more stories to be told,” he said. “If this was the last episode, would I be happy? I dont know.”

With Fox cooling on the series, Carters decision has been made for him—for now, anyway.

Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:The Must-See Looks from the Solo PremiereYohana DestaYohana Desta is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.