Gillian Anderson recently opened up about the challenging times she endured during the nearly ten years she spent filming the iconic series.
Although her role in The X-Files catapulted her to worldwide fame and paved the way for subsequent projects such as The Fall, S-x Education, and The Crown, Anderson revealed that the experience was not without its difficulties.During a recent interview, Anderson candidly admitted that her extended tenure on the set of The X-Files left her feeling somewhat "alienated" and led to the onset of panic attacks. "I had some small panic attacks because of it," she confessed.
"At one point, I couldn't discuss it, couldn't even look at it or pictures related to it. I couldn't. I needed to immediately immerse myself in theater in another country. After some time, I was able to come to terms with it again. However, by that point, I had distanced myself so much that I viewed the image as if it were of someone else," the actress explained. She acknowledged the consequences of immersing herself in the role for prolonged periods, recognizing that such dedication comes with a price.
Gillian Anderson, alongside David Duchovny (Fox Mulder), was an integral part of The X-Files from 1993 to 2002. After a hiatus from the role, she reprised her character of Scully in 2016 for the series' tenth season and once more in 2018 for the eleventh and final season.
Currently, Anderson is immersed in filming the third season of the popular Netflix series, Education. Additionally, she has garnered acclaim for her remarkable portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Crown.
In 2020, Netflix unveiled the much-anticipated fourth season of The Crown, featuring Emma Corrin as Lady Diana and Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher, the former British Prime Minister. Anderson not only flawlessly embodied the political figure but also underwent a remarkable transformation, rendering her nearly unrecognizable as Thatcher.
Reflecting on her role, Anderson acknowledged both the challenge and significance of portraying such a prominent historical figure. "This is one of those roles you'd be a fool to turn down," she said. "Many people have strong opinions about her, and there will be many opinions about how I portray her or how she is represented, but that's part of the job," she added. Margaret Thatcher, who led the United Kingdom for 11 years, passed away in 2013 and held office from 1979.
