Gillian Anderson is Hanging Up Scully's Hat

The second season of The X-Files revival (the eleventh in the show's entire run,) began airing Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018 on Fox. Fans have been eagerly awaiting another season after the cliff hanger ending of season 10 two years ago.
The series tells the story of two FBI agents -- Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) -- the believer, and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) -- the skeptic) as they work together on the X-Files, cases that are beyond normal FBI jurisdiction, usually involving aliens or supernatural elements. Mulder witnessed his sister Samantha's abduction by aliens as a child, and wholeheartedly believed in extraterrestrial existence as well as the corruption within the US government; Scully, a doctor, was raised Catholic and favored science over fantasy. It wasn't until Mulder's own abduction by extraterrestrials in the season seven finale, that Scully started to be more open minded -- despite her own abduction in the second season.
​Anderson has been a staple of the series, appearing in all but three episodes (this gives her more appearances than any other character). She also starred in both movies, and the video game Resist Or Serve.​
​During the winter press tour for the Television Critics Association, Anderson announced that after the eleventh season, she would be leaving the show. "I arrived at the decision before we did the previous six," she revealed. "I've said from the beginning this is it for me." She wasn't aware that there would be another season after the first revival, and Anderson cites writer and show creator Chris Carter for getting her to come back. "I think as Chris has said himself, that short stack of episodes kind of felt like we were learning how to walk again and that this season of 10 [episodes] is that the pace is up and we're running."
Apparently, Gillian is ready to explore other career avenues. Her hit series The Fall wrapped up last year, and her film The Crooked House was released in December, based off of the Agatha Christie novel. "There's lots of things that I want to do in my life and in my career," Anderson said. "It's been an extraordinary opportunity and an extraordinary character." She adds, "It's time for me to hang up Scully's hat, it just is."
​Chris Carter has gone on record to confirm that the eleventh season will be the show's last, saying, "For me, The X-Files is Mulder and Scully. I think if it were without Scully, I wouldn't do it. That's not my X-Files."
Fans are left to speculate what loose threads the show will leave. Glen Morgan, the executive producer teased, "Some of those questions will be answered, some won't because that's the way this show is."
David Duchovny isn't looking for a new job yet, however. "The X-Filesis a frame," he said.

I have seen every episode of The X-Files at least twice, as well as both films; I've played the second game countless times. The show certainly isn't my favorite, but it does hold a very special place in my heart. Truthfully, when David Duchovny left the show, it wasn't nearly as good; Gillian did the best she could to hold down the fort, but the signature chemistry between Mulder and Scully was gone. With Gillian leaving, I think it best to call it quits. If the show suffered without Mulder, it would be dead without Scully. She may be the skeptic, but Scully IS The X-Files. Chris Carter himself considers Scully to be the main character of the series.
Thank you, Gillian, for eleven wonderful seasons. The show would not have been nearly as good without you. Good luck on your future endeavors, your fans will always support you.