The best writers of "the X Files"
This is a list compiled of the best writers on "the X Files," ordered from greatest to least. I also list all of the episodes they wrote in order from greatest to least, with my ratings of each episode in parenthesis.
I created this about a year ago, however, I come back to it every so often because "the X-files" was filled with tons of great episodes, as well as the amazing writers behind them.
I created this about a year ago, however, I come back to it every so often because "the X-files" was filled with tons of great episodes, as well as the amazing writers behind them.
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- Producer
- Writer
- Actor
Darin Morgan was born on 2 September 1948 in Santa Clara County, California, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for The X-Files (1993), Millennium (1996) and Those Who Kill (2014).Episodes:
Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space' (9.5/10)
Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose (9.5/10)
War of the Coprohages (9/10)
Humbug (9/10)
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Best Season: 3- Actor
- Producer
- Director
David William Duchovny was born on August 7, 1960, in New York City, New York, USA. His father, Amram Ducovny, was a writer and publicist who was from a family of Jewish immigrants (from Ukraine and Poland), and worked for the American Jewish Committee. His mother, Margaret (Miller), was a Scottish-born school teacher. David has a sister, Laurie, and an older brother, Daniel Ducovny, an award-winning director of commercials, as well as a director of photography.
David earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton University, and also attended Yale University, where he undertook a Master's Degree in English Literature. A keen poet and writer, David's work was well recognized by his peers and teachers while he was in attendance at Yale. He was even nominated for a college prize by the Academy of American Poets for his outstanding work within the literary field. While at Yale, he began commuting to New York to study acting and was soon appearing in off-Broadway plays. In 1987, he abandoned his doctoral studies at Yale to pursue acting full time.
Like any actor or celebrity, David began his career on the bottom, by acting in numerous commercials in the late-eighties. He crossed over into films with bit parts in low key films such as New Year's Day (1989) and Bad Influence (1990). Although these parts were small and somewhat insignificant, it was a start and David was able to get his foot in the door.
In 1991, David got offered the role of DEA Dennis Bryson on the acclaimed TV series, Twin Peaks (1990). He only appeared in three episodes, but at that early stage, it was his biggest claim to fame yet, as Twin Peaks (1990) was watched by millions of people worldwide. Needless to say, David's talents as an actor would finally be recognized and he would get the acknowledgment that he so richly deserved.
In the early 1990s, he got more bit parts in films, this time, however, the films weren't "low key", but hits, such as Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) and the family favorite comedy, Beethoven (1992). David's role in Beethoven (1992) was small, but it was hard to forget the poor guy who was dragged across the lawn by the giant St. Bernard!
A year later, in 1993, David got the lead role in the independent film Kalifornia (1993). The film also starred another up-and-coming young actor, Brad Pitt. In Kalifornia (1993), David played a journalist who goes on a cross-country tour of famous murder sites with his girlfriend as research for a book he is writing about serial killers. He takes Pitt's character along to help pay the bills, unaware that Pitt's character is in fact a serial killer himself. Although it did not do much business at the box office, it is still a great film and has become somewhat of a cult favorite among fans.
That same year, David was offered the role of FBI Agent Fox "Spooky" Mulder on the long-running TV series The X-Files (1993). The show was a tremendous international success and propelled David (and his co-star Gillian Anderson) into super-stardom. His character of Mulder has become somewhat of a pop culture legend and is renowned the world over for his satirical wit and dry sense of humor. Fans loved the fact that he could keep a straight face and still crack and joke in the face of extreme danger. David improvised a lot of his own lines of dialogue while on the show and even penned and directed a few episodes. The series ended in 2002 and still has a strong, dedicated following. To date, David has reprised his role of Fox Mulder in two "X Files" feature films: The X Files (1998) and The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008).
During the initial run of The X-Files (1993), David kept busy and made several films, such as: Return to Me (2000), alongside actress Minnie Driver and the comedy favorite Evolution (2001), with Julianne Moore, Seann William Scott and Orlando Jones. He even had a hysterical cameo as a self-obsessed, simple-minded hand model in the comedy-smash Zoolander (2001).
In 2007, after a few years out of the limelight, David struck gold again after landing the plum role of Hank Moody in Californication (2007). The raunchy series follows the life of womanizing writer Hank Moody (Duchovny) as he tries to juggle his career and his relationship with his daughter and his ex-girlfriend. The show has become a hit for its off-the-wall humor and Duchovny's ability to always turn in a brilliant performance.
It may have taken a while, but David has worked his way to the top and notched up an impressive resume along the way. We can expect to see a lot more of him in the future.Episodes:
The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati (9.5/10) with Chris Carter
The Unnatural (9/10)
Hollywood A.D. (8.5/10)
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Story Only:
Anazasi (9/10) with Chris Carter
Colony (8.5/10) with Chris Carter
Talitha Cumi (8.5/10) with Chris Carter
Avatar (8.5/10) with Howard Gordon
William (8/10) with Chris Carter & Frank Spotnitz- Writer
- Producer
- Director
Born and raised in Bellflower, California, Chris Carter graduated from the California State University at Long Beach with a degree in journalism. Formerly a freelance journalist and editor of "Surfing" magazine, Carter began his career as a screenwriter in 1985 at The Walt Disney Studios. In 1992 Carter began developing projects for Twentieth Century Fox Television, creating The X-Files (1993), which was the winner of the Golden Globe for Best Drama in 1995 and 1997, Emmy-nominated three times for Best Drama, and winner of a Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting. In 1996 he created the series Millennium (1996) and in 1999 Harsh Realm (1999). For his work on The X-Files, Carter has received three Golden Globe Awards (1994, 1996, 1997), a Writers Guild nomination, two Directors Guild nominations, and an Emmy Award nomination.Episodes:
Redux II (9.5/10)
The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati (9.5/10) with David Duchovny
Closure (9.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Momento Mori (9.5/10) with Spotnitz, Gilligan, and Shiban
One Son (9.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Herrenvolk (9.5/10)
Paper Clip (9.5/10)
The Truth (9.5/10)
The Blessing Way (9.5/10)
Anasazi (9.5/10)
Milagro (9/10)
Two Fathers (9/10) with Frank Spotnitz
This Is Not Happening (9/10) with Frank Spotnitz
The End (9/10)
Essence (9/10)
Existence (9/10)
The Erlenmeyer Flask (9/10)
The Post-Modern Prometheus (9/10)
Duane Barry (9/10)
Talitha Cumi (9/10)
Nisei (9/10) with Frank Spotnitz and Howard Gordon
Apocrypha (9/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Piper Maru (9/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Colony (9/10)
Improbable (9/10)
Syzygy (9/10)
Requiem (9/10)
Biogenesis (9/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Deadalive (9/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Gethsemane (8.5/10)
Irresistible (8.5/10)
Pilot (8.5/10)
Trust No 1 (8.5/10)
The Red and the Black (8.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Redux (8.5/10)
Triangle (8.5/10)
The Sixth Extinction (8.5/10)
Deep Throat (8.5/10)
Without (8.5/10)
Within (8.5/10)
How the Ghosts Stole Christmas (8.5/10)
Darkness Falls (8.5/10)
The Host (8.5/10)
The Beginning (8.5/10)
Providence (8.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Per Manum (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Patient X (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Tunguska (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Sein Und Zeit (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Three Words (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Max (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Tempus Fugit (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Red Museum (8/10)
Provenance (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Nothing Important Happened Today II (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Fire (8/10)
F. Emasculata (8/10) with Howard Gordon
Young at Heart (8/10) with Scott Kaufer
Miracle Man (8/10) with Howard Gordon
The List (8/10)
William (8/10)
Nothing Important Happened Today (7.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Chinga (7.5/10) with Stephen King
Fight Club (7.5/10)
Terma (7.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Unrequited (7.5/10) with Howard Gordon
The Jersey Devil (7.5/10)
Patience (7.5/10)
Space (7/10)
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Best Season: 5 or 6- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Glen Morgan was born on 12 July 1961 in Syrcause, New York, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for The X-Files (1993), Space: Above and Beyond (1995) and The One (2001). He has been married to Kristen Cloke since 13 June 1998. They have four children.Episodes:
One Breath (9.5/10)
Beyond the Sea (9/10)
Ice (9/10)
Little Green Men (9/10)
Home (9/10)
E.B.E. (9/10)
Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man (9/10)
Die Hand Die Verletzt (8.5/10)
The Field Where I Died (8.5/10)
Tooms (8.5/10)
Squeeze (8.5/10)
Never Again (8/10)
Blood (8/10)
3 (7.5/10)
Shadows (7.5/10)
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Best Season: 4- Producer
- Writer
- Director
James Wong is known for The X-Files (1993), The One (2001) and Space: Above and Beyond (1995). He is married to Teena Wong. They have three children.Episodes:
One Breath (9.5/10)
Beyond the Sea (9/10)
Ice (9/10)
Little Green Men (9/10)
Home (9/10)
E.B.E. (9/10)
Die Hand Die Verletzt (8.5/10)
The Field Where I Died (8.5/10)
Tooms (8.5/10)
Squeeze (8.5/10)
Never Again (8/10)
Blood (8/10)
3 (7.5/10)
Shadows (7.5/10)
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Best Season: 4- Producer
- Writer
- Director
Award-winning American writer and producer Frank Spotnitz is the Chief Executive of Big Light Productions Ltd., a London-and Paris-based production company he founded in 2013 with a vision to create distinctive and ambitious TV drama series, and has become one of the fastest-growing independent production companies in Europe. Big Light Productions creates and produces a diverse slate of international television series, including drama, comedy and documentaries.
Under the Big Light banner, most recently, Spotnitz co-created and executive produced the drama series Leonardo, starring Aidan Turner, Freddie Highmore and Matilda De Angelis, for RAI, France Télévisions, RTVE and Sony, and is co-produced by Big Light Productions alongside Lux Vide.
Previously, under Spotnitz's stewardship, Big Light has produced a number of high-end drama productions including Amazon's Emmy award-winning The Man in the High Castle, based on the classic Philip K. Dick novel. Spotnitz created, executive produced and wrote several episodes of the acclaimed series, which launched in the UK, US, Germany and Austria in 2015 and quickly became Amazon's most viewed drama series ever. Series also included Medici: Masters of Florence, starring Richard Madden and Dustin Hoffman, two seasons of Medici: The Magnificent, starring Daniel Sharman and Sean Bean, both for RAI in Italy, SFR Play in France and Netflix; Ransom for CBS in the US, Corus's Global in Canada, TF1 in France and RTL in Germany; and the comedy-drama series The Indian Detective, starring international comedian Russell Peters, for Bell Media/CTV and Netflix.
Spotnitz's other credits include: Crossing Lines season 3 (2015) with Tandem/Studio Canal; Transporter: The Series season 2 (2014) for the U.S.'s TNT, Germany's M6 and HBO Canada; Hunted (2012); Strike Back (2011); Samurai Girl (2008); Night Stalker (2005); Michael Mann's Robbery Homicide Division (2002); The Lone Gunmen (2001); Harsh Realm (2000); and Millennium (1997-1999). In 2006, Spotnitz co-wrote and created (with Vince Gilligan) a pilot for Spike TV called A.M.P.E.D. Spotnitz directed two episodes and wrote or co-wrote more than 40 episodes of The X-Files television series. He served as a producer and co-writer of both The X-Files feature films, Fight the Future (1998) and I Want to Believe (2008). Spotnitz shares three Golden Globes for Best Dramatic Series and a Peabody Award for his work on The X-Files. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for writing and three times for Outstanding Drama Series.
In 2013 Spotnitz helped establish and began teaching at Serial Eyes, a postgraduate training programme in Berlin to help prepare the next generation of European TV writer-producers. With the writers' room experience at the core of the programme, twelve participants are given the opportunity to learn from industry experts and develop a European model of show-running. Each year one participant is also selected to do a three-month placement with Big Light Productions.
Born in Japan, Spotnitz received a B.A. in English literature from UCLA and an M.F.A. in screenwriting from the American Film Institute. He began his career as a newspaper and magazine writer, working for the Associated Press, United Press International and Entertainment Weekly, among others.Episodes:
Closure (9.5/10) with Chris Carter
Momento Mori (9.5/10) with Carter, Gilligan, & Shiban
One Son (9.5/10) with Chris Carter
This Is Not Happening (9/10) with Chris Carter
Two Fathers (9/10) with Chris Carter
Apocrypha (9/10) with Chris Carter
Piper Maru (9/10) with Chris Carter
Leonard Betts (9/10) with Vince Gilligan & John Shiban
Biogenesis (9/10) with Chris Carter
Deadalive (9/10) with Chris Carter
End Game (8.5/10)
731 (8.5/10)
The Red and the Black (8.5/10) with Chris Carter
Emily (8.5/10) with Vince Gilligan & John Shiban
Dreamland (8.5/10) with Vince Gilligan & John Shiban
Dreamland II (8.5/10) with Vince Gilligan & John Shiban
Via Negativa (8.5/10)
Nisei (8.5/10) with Chris Carter & Howard Gordon
Providence (8.5/10) with Chris Carter
The Gift (8.5/10)
Detour (8.5/10)
Christmas Carol (8.5/10) with Vince Gilligan & John Shiban
Patient X (8.5/10) with Chris Carter
Zero Sum (8.5/10) with Howard Gordon
Sein Und Zeit (8/10) with Chris Carter
Tunguska (8/10) with Chris Carter
Max (8/10) with Chris Carter
Tempus Fugit (8/10) with Chris Carter
Jump the Shark (8/10) with Vince Gilligan & John Shiban
Our Town (8/10)
Dæmonicus (8/10)
Nothing Important Happened Today II (8/10) with Chris Carter
Millennium (8/10) with Vince Gilligan
Nothing Important Happened Today (7.5/10) with Chris Carter
All Souls (7.5/10) with John Shiban
Travelers (7.5/10) with John Shiban
Medusa (7.5/10)
Terma (7.5/10) with Chris Carter
Theef (7/10) with Vince Gilligan & John Shiban
The Amazing Maleeni (7/10) with Vince Gilligan & John Shiban
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Best Season: 8- Producer
- Writer
- Director
George Vincent Gilligan Jr. (born February 10, 1967) is an American writer, producer, and director. He is known for his television work, specifically as creator, head writer, executive producer, and director of Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul. He was a writer and producer for The X-Files and was the co-creator of its spin-off The Lone Gunmen.
Both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul have received widespread critical acclaim, with Gilligan winning two Primetime Emmy Awards, six Writers Guild of America Awards, two Critics' Choice Television Awards and Producers Guild of America Awards, one Directors Guild of America Award and a BAFTA. Outside of television, he co-wrote the screenplay for the 2008 film Hancock.
Gilligan was born in Richmond, Virginia, the son of Gail, a grade school teacher, and George Vincent Gilligan Sr., an insurance claims adjuster. His parents divorced in 1974 and he and his younger brother, Patrick, were raised in Farmville and Chesterfield County, and attended the laboratory school run by Longwood College. Growing up, Gilligan became best friends with future film editor and film title designer Angus Wall. His interest in film began when Wall's mother, Jackie, who also taught alongside Gilligan's mother, would lend her Super 8 film cameras to him. He used the camera to make science fiction films with Patrick. One of his first films was entitled Space Wreck, starring his brother in the lead role. One year later, he won first prize for his age group in a film competition at the University of Virginia.
Jackie would take Wall and Gilligan to Richmond and drop them off at Cloverleaf Mall to see films, and encourage both of them to pursue a career in the arts. "I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for Jackie. She was a wonderful lady and a real inspiration," he recalls. Gilligan was recognized for his talents and creativity at an early age. George Sr. described him as a "kind of a studious-type young man, and he liked to read, and he had a vivid imagination". He introduced Gilligan to film noir classics, as well as John Wayne and Clint Eastwood Westerns on late-night television. Gilligan won a scholarship to attend the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts. After eighth grade, he moved back to Chesterfield to attend high school.
After graduating from Lloyd C. Bird High School in 1985, Gilligan went on to attend NYU's Tisch School of the Arts on a scholarship, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in film production. While at NYU, he wrote the screenplay for Home Fries; Gilligan received the Virginia Governor's Screenwriting Award in 1989 for the screenplay, which was later turned into a film. One of the judges of the competition was Mark Johnson, a film producer. He was impressed by Gilligan, saying he "was the most imaginative writer I'd ever read".Episodes:
Momento Mori (9.5/10) with C. Carter, F. Spotnitz & J. Shiban
Leonard Betts (9/10) with Frank Spotnitz & John Shiban
Je Souhaite (8.5/10)
Tithonus (8.5/10)
Monday (8.5/10) with John Shiban
Emily (8.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz & John Shiban
Hungry (8.5/10)
Dreamland (8.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz & John Shiban
Dreamland II (8.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz & John Shiban
Small Potatoes (8.5/10)
Paper Hearts (8.5/10)
Christmas Carol (8.5/10) with Frank Spotnitz & John Shiban
Folie à Deux (8.5/10)
Field Trip (8.5/10) with John Shiban
Sunshine Days (8/10)
Soft Light (8/10)
Jump the Shark (8/10) with Vince Gilligan & John Shiban
John Doe (8/10)
Roadrunners (8/10)
Drive (8/10)
Unusual Suspects (8/10)
Pusher (8/10)
Unruhe (8/10)
Millennium (8/10) with Frank Spotnitz
Bad Blood (7.5/10)
X-Cops (7.5/10)
Kitsunegari (7.5/10) with Tim Minear
Three of a Kind (7.5/10) with John Shiban
Theef (7/10) with Frank Spotnitz & John Shiban
The Amazing Maleeni (7/10) with Frank Spotnitz and John Shiban
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Best Season: 4- William Gibson was born on 13 November 1914 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer, known for The Miracle Worker (1962), Playhouse 90 (1956) and Two for the Seesaw (1962). He was married to Margaret Brenman-Gibson. He died on 25 November 2008 in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, USA.Episodes:
Kill Switch (9/10)
First Person Shooter (7.5/10) - Tom Maddox was born in 1945 in Beckley, West Virginia, USA. Tom is a writer, known for The X-Files (1993).Episodes:
Kill Switch (9/10)
First Person Shooter (7.5/10) - Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Howard Gordon was born on 31 March 1961 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for 24 (2001), Homeland (2011) and The X-Files (1993).Episodes:
Nisei (9/10) with Chris Carter & Frank Sponitz
Sleepless (8.5/10)
Avatar (8.5/10)
Conduit (8.5/10) with Alex Gansa
Fallen Angel (8.5/10) with Alex Gansa
D.P.O. (8.5/10)
Zero Sum (8.5/10)
Dod Kalm (8/10) with Alex Gansa
Grotesque (8/10)
F. Emasculata (8/10) with Chris Carter
Lazarus (8/10) with Alex Gansa
Fresh Bones (8/10)
Firewalker (8/10)
Synchrony (8/10)
Unrequited (7.5/10) with Chris Carter
Teliko (7.5/10)
Born Again (7.5/10) with Alex Gansa
Ghost in the Machine (7/10) with Alex Gansa- Producer
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Alex Gansa is known for Homeland (2011), Beauty and the Beast (1987) and Maximum Bob (1998). He is married to Lauren White (IX).Episodes:
Conduit (8.5/10)
Fallen Angel (8.5/10)
Dod Kalm (8/10)
Lazarus (8/10)
Born Again (7.5/10)
Ghost in the Machine (7/10)