The X Files is so different from everything else that is done on network television. It is different in approach. One hour dramas that tend to be about characters. Most one hour dramas you re in the same standing set for the majority of the time. On The X Files most of the time you re out in completely new locations.
Every week there s a big idea that is completely different.
There s a new set of rules, there s a new paranormal phenomenon that has nothing to do with what came the week before. So it s a hugely ambitious show that tries to be cinematic in it s approach. It s trying to direct itself in the writing because there is so much that needs to be achieved in our shooting schedule . Unless you re specific with a director from the page about how you can achieve all this with the time and money we ve got, it wouldn t be possible. It s a very difficult show to write for, and I ve always felt the enormous pressure to try and achieve the work in the time allowed from the moment I got here.