‘The X-Files’ Star David Duchovny Reveals Why He Loves Darin Morgan’s Episodes

David Duchovny said that he loves the “X-Files” episodes written and directed by Darin Morgan because they challenge him as an actor.

“What I personally love in [Darin’s episodes] is that he hates [my character Fox] Mulder,” Duchovny told TVLine with a laugh. “He’s always trying to make Mulder an imbecile and the butt of every joke.”

While the 57-year-old actor enjoys playing the quasi-victim, Duchovny admitted that portraying one is a challenge for him. “It’s very difficult to figure out how to play Mulder in those episodes because he’s such a fool, and I feel pressure to find that place where I can service how funny it is and still keep Mulder Mulder,” the “Californication” alum explained. “It’s a bit of a pressure cooker for me because I love Darin and I want his episodes to have integrity. I don’t want it to just be this goofy thing like, ‘Oh, we’re not ‘The X-Files’ this week. We’re winking. It’s not really Mulder.’ I want it to be more than that.”

This isn’t the first time Duchovny has expressed his love for Morgan-created episodes. In an interview with TVLine in December 2015, the actor revealed that his favorite hour last season was the “Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster” episode, which was written and directed by Morgan.

“For me in terms of being an actor, Darin’s scripts — which were funny and whimsical yet very smart and rigorous — were always challenging and fun,” Duchovny said at the time. “[Series creator] Chris [Carter] really took care of the scope and the action, [but] action’s less interesting for me to play as an actor. You’ve got to be there at night, basically. And you’ve got to run to something or from something. [Laughs] That’s not a knock on Chris’ writing. But Darin’s episodes were always very verbally, often comically driven and thematically twisted.”

Morgan also wrote and directed an episode in the upcoming Season 11 of “The X-Files.” While plot details about the episode are being kept under wraps, the said installment will feature a guest appearance by “Veep’s” Brian Huskey. According to Deadline, Huskey plays the character of Reggie in the episode.

Carter also told TVLine last month that Morgan’s upcoming episode is “original, smart, funny … everything you expect.” The series creator added that the hour “has a big link to previous ‘X-Files’ episodes.”

“The X-Files” Season 11 premieres on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.