The original run of The X-Files was filled with memorable supporting characters, but few were as beloved by fans as much as “The Lone Gunmen,” a trio of computer-savvy conspiracy theorists. With The X-Files returning as a limited series early next year, the possibility of the group’s return has been the subject of much speculation — only to be confirmed by one of the Lone Gunmen this week.
As reported by Televised Revolution, actor Dean Haglund — who played one of the three Lone Gunmen — confirmed the trio’s return in the upcoming, six-episode revival of The X-Files during an event in Sydney, Australia.
“Today they contacted us,” Haglund told the crowd while discussing how frequently he’s asked about the potential return of The Lone Gunmen. “We’re shooting July 28. The Gunmen are in the final six!”
Debuting in the first-season episode “E.B.E.” in 1994, the trio of Richard Langly (Haglund), Melvin Frohike (Tom Braidwood) and John Fitzgerald Byers (Bruce Harwood) quickly became fan-favorite characters in The X-Files, returning for 37 additional episodes as well as the 1998 feature film The X-Files: Fight the Future and various tie-in projects. The trio then starred in their own, single-season spinoff series on FOX in 2001 before (Spoiler Alert) being killed off in one of the final episodes of The X-Files.
However, as with most sci-fi and genre projects, death doesn’t need to be a permanent status for any popular characters — especially a set of characters whose lives revolve around conspiracies and secrets.
Along with original series stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, who will reprise their roles as FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, the revival of The X-Files is also confirmed to feature the return of series regular Mitch Pileggi as Walter Skinner and William B. Davis as the Cigarette-Smoking Man. Newcomers to the world of The X-Files in the new series will include Annet Mahendru (Homeland), Joel McHale (Community), Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Robbie Amell (The Flash), and Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley).
The X-Files returns to television January 24, 2016, with a six-episode series that will air on FOX.
