Jul-20-2000
Variety
Robert Patrick Marks ‘X-Files’ Spot
Josef Adalian and Michael Fleming

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) – “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” thespian Robert Patrick has landed one of the most coveted roles in television, inking a multiyear deal to play Gillian Anderson’s new partner on “The X-Files.” Patrick will join the cast of the Fox drama at the start of next season, stepping in as star David Duchovny dramatically cuts back his involvement in the series. Fox Entertainment president Gail Berman officially announced the casting late Thursday.

Duchovny will appear in just over half of the 20 “X” episodes scheduled to be produced next season, with most of his screen time coming in the first half of the season. Patrick will appear in all episodes, and will get third billing in the opening credits (behind Duchovny and Anderson.)

“X” creator and exec producer Chris Carter said Patrick’s character, FBI agent John Doggett, will be the virtual mirror opposite of Duchovny’s alien-hunting, conspiracy-loving Fox Mulder.

“We thought about what we wanted to do, and we decided we didn’t want to add something to the show we already had,” Carter said in an interview with Daily Variety. “This guy is the consummate insider. He’s a member of the FBI fraternity, a textbook guy.”

Patrick will team up with Scully to help track down the abducted Agent Mulder. While neither Carter, Duchovny nor Anderson are signed to work on “X” past the 2000-01 season, Carter hinted that Patrick’s arrival could help extend “X” beyond its eighth season. “This is a great opportunity to go on,” he said.

While ratings for “The X-Files” have slipped in recent years, the supernatural series is still one of the network’s tentpole series, serving as a vital anchor to Fox’s Sunday schedule. Convincing Carter to return for another year and Duchovny to come back for a half-season were major coups for Fox Entertainment Television Group chairman Sandy Grushow.

In other “X”-related news, Carter said he believes Fox execs are considering a plan to launch the “X” spin-off, “The Lone Gunmen,” in “X”‘s 9 p.m. Sunday slot next spring. The one hitch: Fox has already said the series will bow on Thursday nights starting in January.

A Fox rep said the network has yet to finalize its midseason plans. More than 100 actors were considered to help fill the gap soon to be left by Duchovny’s departure, though only 10 were serious contenders, according to Carter. Patrick’s deal was finalized Wednesday.

He had been signed to appear in the unsold Paramount Network Television pilot “L.A. Sheriff’s Homicide,” but the studio agreed to release him from his contractual obligations so he could accept Carter’s “X” offer. In addition to his “T2” role, Patrick appeared in the James Mangold-directed “Cop Land” and 1998’s “The Faculty.” He also had a recurring guest role on HBO’s “The Sopranos.”

Patrick’s upcoming feature credits include the Miramax picture “Texas Rangers” and the Matt Damon starrer “All the Pretty Horses.”

Tags: chris carter, x-files

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