??-??-2001
The X-Files Magazine [US]
The Next Files
[typed by Donna]
Executive producer Frank Spotnitz has his work cut out for him this year. While he’s been busy shaping and perfecting the mid-season spinoff The Lone Gunmen, at the same time he’s had to concentrate on carefully introducing the many new changes to The X-Files. Recently, Spotnitz took a rare break from his duties to talk about the fruits of his labors.
The X-Files Official Magazine: How is The Lone Gunmen shaping up?
Frank Spotnitz: I have no idea how the public will respond to it. I’m just so happy with it. I laugh out loud watching the dailies. It’s just a pleasure, I think the guys are doing great. They really have shown what they’re capable of, and I think they’re capable of far more than anybody would have guessed. And the new characters we’ve added, played by Zuleikha Robinson and Stephen Snedden, are funny and charming. It’s so unlike The X-Files where you watch the dailies and [if it’s scary and tense] you’re very gratified. [With The Lone Gunmen], you watch it and you laugh every day. It’s a different experience-not one I’ve ever had before.
The X-Files Official Magazine: What kind of feedback have you gotten about the introduction of Robert Patrick to The X-Files and about all of the other changes this season?
Frank Spotnitz: I haven’t heard a single bad thing about Robert Patrick. People have said he just seems to fit. He’s a great actor, he’s a great guy and he’s a pleasure to work with. He’s truly, from our standpoint, an unqualified success. I think the only negative things I’ve heard are people just missing David, missing David’s character, missing his sense of humor, missing his presence.
The X-Files Official Magazine: Has the process of integrating the many changes, especially the addition of the John Doggett character and the absence of Mulder, been an especially difficult one?
Frank Spotnitz: It’s been really interesting for us. It is a new challenge for us this year, which is welcome after seven years of doing a show one way. Part of the challenge is figuring out how Doggett fits in, howScully goes about being the reluctant leader of this investigative unit, how the two of them develop their relationship. Actually, it’s getting more interesting now with Mulder’s return and the introduction of this character of Monica Reyes, played by Annabeth Gish. It’s a different set of issues than we’ve ever had to face before. This has always been a two-lead show. You’ve had Skinner and the Cigarette-Smoking Man and all these other important characters, but it’s really gonna be an ensemble for a while.
The X-Files Official Magazine: What will David Duchovny’s involvement be for the rest of the season?
Frank Spotnitz: He’s in [episodes] 14 and 15, and then after that, I believe he’s back full time. In some way, shape or form, he’ll be in every episode from 14 to the end.
The X-Files Official Magazine: Aside from Mulder will any other recurring characters return to the show before the end of the season?
Frank Spotnitz: Krycek will be coming back in April, and Covarrubias will be coming back a little after that. And then the big news is the introduction of Monica Reyes, who we’ll meet in [“This Is Not Happening.”] And she has some kind of history with Doggett, which we’ll learn more about later.
The X-Files Official Magazine: Any word on the possibility of a Season Nine?
Frank Spotnitz: I think everybody feels like we’ve gotten a new life this year. We certainly feel that there’s a momentum that could easily continue on for at least another year.
Tags: date undefined, frank spotnitz, lone gunmen, x-files