David Duchovny Interview: ‘X-Files’ Revival, Returning as Mulder | TVLine 

David Duchovny‘s truth-seeking, pencil-tossing, Scully-crushing FBI Special Agent Fox William “Spooky” Mulder last appeared on the small screen, a drought that will end on Sunday, Jan. 24 with the premiere of Fox’s six-episode revival of

In the following Q&A with TVLine, the 55-year-old actor — and current star of NBC’s

past “difficulties” with leading lady Gillian Anderson (yes, we said

), present affection for playing Mulder and the future of the franchise that made him a household name.

The X-Files: 12 Revival Premiere Teases That Will Put Diehard ‘Philes at Ease

franchise changed from when you were first doing the show?

The first time around it was one of my first jobs. I was really just trying to keep my head above water artistically. I think me and Gillian coming back at this point in our lives and in our careers… we’re much better at what we do now. It was really wonderful, for both of us, to recreate these characters with better skills. We probably don’t have as much energy as we use to though. [

TVLINE | Do you have a better appreciation for what a gift

has been to you than maybe you did during the initial run of the show?

I always had an appreciation for it. It was a career-making show. Aside from my gratitude for whatever business it brought my way, it also afforded me a chance to go to work every day. If I ever did

have an appreciation for the show it was probably [during the final seasons] when I think we were just tired, and antsy to go out and do other things. I’m sure there were times when I was dying to get off the show, but it wasn’t because

TVLINE | And how has your relationship with Gillian changed?

We’ve been good for quite a while work-wise. Whatever difficulties we may have had over the years [stemmed from] what I said earlier about wanting to get off the show… the fatigue and a hot-house feeling of being in the same room with the same people for nine years. We’re good now. We have a shorthand and I really enjoy working with her a lot. That was probably the easiest part of transitioning back into the show was our work together.

RELATEDX-Files Revival Exclusive : An Extra Hour Is Out There — Scoop on Ill-Fated Episode 7

episodes back in the day. Did you have any creative input this time around?

No. When we were originally talking about [a possible revival] we were conceiving of it as 12 or 13 episodes, because that was the [traditional] model. And in that [scenario] I thought I would write one or direct one. But the way it worked out with six episodes, there just wasn’t any room.

For me in terms of being an actor, Darin [Morgan]’s scripts — which were funny and whimsical yet very smart and rigorous — were always challenging and fun. And it’s the same this time with [the Morgan written/directed “Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster,” airing Feb. 1]. Chris [Carter] really took care of the scope and the action, [but] action’s less interesting for me to play as an actor. You’ve got to be there at night, basically. And you’ve got

] That’s not a knock on Chris’ writing. But Darin’s episodes were always very verbally, often comically driven and thematically twisted. And it’s the same this time.

miniseries like this become an annual thing?

I don’t see why not. But we don’t want to just make more episodes because we can. I’m not interested in that. And I don’t think Chris is interested in that. If Chris is re-inspired to start thinking about where to take the show and the characters next I’m sure we’d all listen.

Looking forward to it. I’m almost done rewatching season eight and will watch nine a week before the revival airs, concluding with the second movie.

I’m all about 12/13 episodes for next year, 6 eps is just not enough! (I know, i’m asking too much lol)

Was one of the lucky 4000 (or so) to see the first episode at New York Comic Con. It’s awesome! Can’t wait to see the other five!

I was there also! It was really awesome, the show slipped right back into the old routine without missing a step. I do hope this becomes an annual thing. 6 episodes really aren’t enough.

Thanks for this. Getting very excited for the revival.

Longtime, ardent TV watchers can probably name shows on both hands where the fatigue played a role in how a series winded down.

Interesting though that 9x out of 10, it’s the men who start squirming first. I appreciate his candor.

I only just starting watching the X-Files this year and I’m already hooked enough to be super excited for the revival. I really need to finish the last couple of seasons…

for someone who has seen some eps, do they make a point in saying yes they were madly in love before, but now for some reason, they split??

Thanks for bringing my favorite agents back! I’ve been watching the show on again on Hulu lately just to get my fix, I can’t wait for the new season to begin!

ABC Family\'s Switch to Freeform: 5 Burning Questions Answered

The Flash Winter Promo: Killer Frost Arrives — With Earth-Two Barry/Iris?

New Girl Stars Tease \'Weird\' Wedding Plans, New Energy, a Big Shift and More

2015 in Review (Part 2): Best/Worst Couples, Splits, Parents and Kids, Weddings, Scenery-Chewing and…

Miss Universe 2015: Host Steve Harvey Names Wrong Woman Winner

12015 in Review (Part 1): Most Improved, Most Underrated, Best/Worst…98

2Which \'Good\' TV Characters Deserve Coal in Their Stocking This…87

3ABC Family\'s Switch to Freeform: 5 Burning Questions Answered82

42015 in Review (Part 2): Best/Worst Couples, Splits, Parents and…57

5Miss Universe Exec: Steve Harvey \'Absolutely\' Welcome to Host in 201643

Team TVLine Shares Its 2016 Wish List for

Grimm Photos: Trubel and Meisner Face Off, Nick…