'X-Files' Showrunner Chris Carter Reveals Why He Split Up Scully And Mulder In 2016 Reboot

"The X-Files" often explores the unknown, but many fans are having a hard time wrapping their head around the idea that Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) will no longer be a couple when the reboot premieres in January. The two FBI agents will be back searching for the truth, but their relationship will be strictly professional, which showrunner Chris Carter says he has a good reason for.

Scully and Mulder were brought together when the series came to a close in 2002. Their relationship also carried over into the 2008 movie, "The X-Files: I Want Believe." In an interview with TVLine, Carter said he chose to split up Scully and Mulder for a more truthful story.

"I thought it was honest,” Carter explained. “And I thought it was an interesting thing to explore, as well as a way to put tension into the idea that 'The X-Files' would be more difficult to reopen if they were split up versus together.”

Despite being split up, Carter said the new miniseries will bring the two "closer." However, he says it's from the two of them working together again, not because of their prior romance.

Revealing why he broke up the couple wasn't the only scoop Carter had for fans Monday. A 21-minute long preview was released, which also hinted at what's to come on the reboot. Among the highlights is a first look at Scully and Mulder's son, William, and a shot of the Lone Gunman, who will be back.

You can watch the full video below:

In September, Carter revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that even if there wasn't a TV reboot, Mulder and Scully would've likely been split up in a third movie as well. He promises the way it will play out in the show will be in an "interesting way."

"We put some of the tension back in that was relieved by them being together. It added to the storytelling opportunities. It’s something that I came up with; I had been thinking about it. There was always talk of [breaking them up] if we did another movie," Carter said.

"The X-Files" get re-opened on Jan. 24, 2016 on Fox following the NFC Championship game.