Since the announcement of the return of the 1990s paranormal investigation TV series, The X-Files has re-entered the cultural zeitgeist with a bang. Boasting a premiere teaser trailer already released by Fox (which promised that the truth is indeed (still) out there), in addition to new casting decisions, David Duchovny has also promised that the new six-episode series won't be the last fans will hear from Mulder and Scully.
Gillian Anderson is likewise returning for the X-Files revival, while Joel McHale and Rhys Darby are already set to appear in supporting roles in the new series. In addition, news has it that another A-list comedian will be lending his talents to Fox's groundbreaking TV drama, too (come January 2016).
According to the comic-actor's official Twitter account, Kumail Nanjiani will be appearing in the new series of The X-Files in the role of an animal control officer (in an episode written by series mainstay Darin Morgan). A lifelong fan of the series who hosts his own fan pod-cast about the show, called The X-Files Files, Nanjiani will appear alongside series regulars David Duchovny (Fox Mulder), Gillian Anderson (Dana Scully), and Mitch Pileggi (Walter Skinner), in addition to writers and producers Chris Carter, Glen Morgan, and Jim Wong, who will also be returning in their respective roles behind the scenes.
I got to be in an ep of my favorite show (X Files) written & directed by my favorite writer (Darin Morgan.) And this script is wonderful.— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 18, 2015
Little is known regarding exact plot details and character arcs for the new X-Files series, though actors William B. Davis, Annabeth Gish, and Robert Patrick are rumored to reprise their roles of the Cigarette-Smoking Man and agents Monica Reyes and John Doggett, respectively. Also returning behind the camera are series writer and producer Frank Spotnitz and lead composer Mark Snow.
With such an enticing list of new and old talent returning to the much-beloved network program, there is a lot to be excited about with the X-Files revival. If any of the released images from the set have something to tell us (and they just might), then fans are in store for a return to seminal Fox TV well worth the six month wait.
Nanjiani has seen a rise in visibility in the public eye of late thanks in large part to his work on the Mike Judge-penned HBO comedy Silicon Valley, and the actor should see a further boost in popularity after appearing alongside his idols Mulder and Scully. With any luck, Nanjiani might just be able to start to string his most recent cameo work on The X-Files into a career move towards appearing in multiple smaller roles on or in any one of his personal favorite TV shows or movies (a la fellow comic-turned-character-actor Patton Oswalt).
Anticipation is mounting to a fever pitch for the new six-episode series - and as Kumail Nanjiani still wants to believe in The X-Files, so can you.
The X-Files will return to Fox on Sunday, January 24th, 2016.
Source: Kumail Nanjiani