Sounds like some The X-Files fans just aren’t ready to believe again. According to the latest Nielsen ratings, the series’ Season 11 premiere saw a sharp decline in viewership compared to that of Season 10. The show’s tenth season was aided by the fact that it marked the franchise’s return to television after being canceled 14 years prior.
Regardless, its unclear if viewers still have a vested interest in the dynamic between FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). The Season 11 premiere only brought in a 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic and mere 5.2 million viewers. There’s still time, though. The X-Files’ tenth season was a big performer on DVR, so it’s possible the new season can gain some ground.
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It’s not a sure thing, though. That’s especially true considering the collective fan reaction to the Season 11 premiere’s biggest revelation, which drastically altered the canonical parentage of one of the series’ most pivotal characters. The reveal left many fans confused and understandably disgusted, so it will be interesting to see if the supernatural drama can recover from such an unexpected, upfront curveball.
Airing every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox, The X-Files stars David Duchovny as Fox Mulder, Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully and Mitch Pileggi as Walter Skinner.
(via Deadline)