Gillian Anderson has done lots of different things during her career, but I think most of us will recognise her from her role as skeptical scientist Dana Scully on The X-Files. It’s still a fantastic show that holds up even in 2014, and I’ll always have a little crush on Gillian because of it, even if she has become a full-blown weirdo in recent years.
One great thing is that she has come to terms with being somewhat defined by such a legendary role and has even embraced it, taking part in X-Files retrospective events and even campaigning for a third movie (which, even coming from someone who was obsessed with the show, is a terrible idea). Well, now she’s taken things to a whole new level: she’s writing a sci-fi series! Er, co-writing, but you get the picture.
From Entertainment Weekly:
Gillian Anderson is returning to the genre that made her a cultural icon – but it’s not on television. The newest project from the star of The X-Files is a book franchise called the EarthEnd Saga, a collaboration with co-writer Jeff Rovin, a prolific geek whose extensive bibliography includes works in the best-selling Tom Clancy’s Op-Center series. The first novel, entitled A Vision of Fire, will be published in October by Simon & Schuster through a new imprint devoted to literary and speculative fiction across all genres called Simon451, a nod to legendary author Ray Bradbury’s dystopian/sci-fi classic Fahrenheit 451.
“It’s been a fantastic experience,” Anderson tells EW, adding that she was inspired to give sci-fi world-building and storytelling a shot at the encouragement of Rovin, a friend of a friend. “I enjoy writing, but don’t usually allow myself the time, and I don’t think I’d ever think to write something in this genre without the prodding of someone like Jeff. But I realized I had ideas hidden within me for a series and a lead character, in this case, a heroine.” Referring to The X-Files, she says: “After nine years of living in a semi-science-fictional universe, I think I now have an ingrained knowledge and rhythm for it.”
Hmm, I agree – and Gillian is very well-spoken and astute and does a lot of reading herself, so I’m into it. The plotline even sounds pretty interesting (and a bit cinematic, as well!):
A Vision of Fire centers on Caitlin O’Hara, a world-traveling child psychiatrist who specializes in treating kids who’ve suffered trauma from natural disasters and war. She’s a grounded personality – she has a son, who is deaf, and everything she knows about the world is challenged when she begins treating a uniquely troubled young girl. Explains Anderson: “Over the course of spending time and helping her and investigating the origins of the girl’s trauma, Caitlin begins to realize that the girl’s behavior is tied to much greater forces in the universe, and as the story unfolds, she must prevent destruction on a grand scale.”
What do you think – will you give it a read? Also, can we all agree that ‘Bad Blood’ is one of the best X-Files episodes in existence?
Growing up with the X-Files it definitely had a huge influence on the person I am now. And Bad Blood, if maybe not the best episode, was hands-down the funniest and one I still like to watch every now and then.