the x-files is an american science fiction television series set in maryland. it ran from its creation in 1993 until 2002, lasting for nine seasons. on january 24, 2016, a new season began airing. the series is about two fbi agents, dana scully (gillian anderson) and fox mulder (david duchovny). together, they work to find answers to strange cases. many of these cases have to do with aliens and the paranormal.