The X-Files premiere: Ex-lovers Mulder and Scully will 'become closer' in the revival series

Fox Mulder and Dana Scully will have broken up when The X-Files returns with its revival series in January. The two-night premiere episodes are titled My Struggle and Home Again that air on 24 and 25 January respectively on Fox.

Series creator Chris Carter talks about his decision to break the iconic pair of Mulder and Scully in an interview with TV Line. Carter revealed, "I thought it was honest. 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."

However, the creator teased the former lovers will "become closer" in the course of the six-episode series, but also added that they will come close because of their renewed professional partnership not their "romantic" history.

Speaking of Mulder and Scully's relationship, David Duchovny told The Hollywood Reporter: "We're not bickering while we're running with our guns out. The relationship was never played [before this]. It was never ... the predominant aspect of the show as written."

"It was something that was unspoken. I think it remains that way. I personally don't want to Mulder and Scully sitting in couples' therapy; that's not what the show is. You can find that on other shows," the actor added.

David Duchovny will reprise his role as Fox Mulder, a former FBI special agent assigned to the X-Files, while Gillian Anderson will return as Dana Scully, a medical doctor and former FBI special agent. Mitch Pileggi and William B Davis will return as the fan favourite characters of Walter Skinner and Smoking Man.