Today’s TCA Press Tour yielded new information about the return of The X-Files. Chairman and CEO of FOX Television, Dana Walden, announced that two female writers would join the currently male-dominated writers’ room for season 11. However, in typical X-Files fashion, she was tight-lipped about their names.
However, official sources confirmed to XFN that the number of women writers is actually three. Karen Nielsen and writing team Kristen Cloke and Shannon Hamblin are the writers joining the team at 1013. Nielsen is known for her work as Script Coordinator last season, along with numerous other TV shows. Meanwhile, Cloke/Hamblin writing team will be writing an episode based on a story by Cloke’s husband, Glen Morgan. Cloke is also known for her extensive acting career. This follows last night’s news that two female directors—Carol Banker and Holly Dale—would also be joining the crew this year.
In June, Gillian Anderson spoke out about her disappointment in the vast underrepresentation of women behind the scenes on the series. Fans and the press both seemed to agree that it was time for a change, and today brings positive news. We look forward to seeing what these women have to bring to the table because if Dana Scully taught us anything, it’s that saving the world has no gender requirement.