The Next Files : Robert Patrick is the new boy searching for truth with Gillian Anderson in series eight of The X-Files. But will he live up to the fan's high X-pectations?
by Lawrie Masterson

According to a certain US show business publication, one of two fates awaits Robert Patrick, the new star of The X-Files: he'll either join the annals of TV infamy, as Dick Sarget did when he replaced Dick York in the 1960's sitcom Bewitched, or he'll make a name for himself. Never mind that the 41-year-old actor has more than 50 movie credits under his belt, including Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Cop Land and The Faculty, plus the forthcoming All the Pretty Horses, in which he plays Matt Damon's father. It seems coming into The X-Files - in which he plays a new character, Agent John Doggett, rather than replacing David Duchovny's Agent Fox Mulder - will be a career maker or breaker.

But Patrick himself doesn't quite see it that way.

`They've created this new character - why not be excited about that?' he says. `That's what I'm excited about. Right now I'm just happy I've got a job. It's always been about the work for me and how everything evolves is up to fate. I hope the fans have an honest reaction. If they don't like the guy, they don't like the guy - if they do, they do. It's for them to decide. I'm ready.'

The future of The X-Files has been a talking point for months. One of the keys to its return was Twentieth Century Fox's out of court settlement of a law suit brought by David Duchovny over syndication sales of the series and his eventual agreement to return for 11 of the 22 new episodes.

At the end of the seventh season, Mulder was abducted by aliens and fans of the show also learned that Gillian Anderson's character, Agent Dana Scully, was pregnant. Exactly what she is expecting, and by whom, remain closely guarded secrets.

As for Robert Patrick, he is more concerned about a new baby at home than the one on the show. His wife, Barbara, recently gave birth to a son and they also have a daughter. `Everybody at Fox and The X-Files was great about really trying to make sure I was there for my wife - and I was there.'

The opportunity to stay close to Barbara and his young family was one aspect of The X-Files that attracted Patrick after spending most of the last two years away working on various film and TV roles, including episodes of The Sopranos.

`I've been looking at trying to get into television for the past five years and this year, during the pilot season, I said I'd really like to aggressively find something that I felt I'd be suited for,' he says, `I had no idea that this situation was going to present itself and when it did there was no hesitation ... I don't I don't feel any expectation, nor do I feel any pressure, because the hard part was really just seeing if I'd actually be able to do it.'

He explains that once that obstacle was cleared, he was certain he could do it. `I feel like if I work hard and take it scene by scene, episode by episode ... everything else will take care of itself. I think it's one of the best roles I've ever had the opportunity to play. I'm enjoying working with Gillian and ... I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with David a little bit more.'

Patrick describes John Doggett as a `salt-of-the-earth guy' with an attitude born of his time as a New York cop. He is a hardcore sceptic of the paranormal. `I'd describe him as a little bit blue-collarish,' Patrick says, but, in a strong hint that the character also comes with some personal baggage, he deflects questions about whether Doggett is or has been married and whether he has children. `I've got answers, but, you know, it wouldn't be fair to the show...'

"Scully's pregnant pause"

Gillian Anderson is one of the few people who knows the answer to what has become a `whodunit' - the identity of the father of the baby her character is expecting in The X-Files.

She know this week, anyway. But in the way of series television generally, and The X-Files specifically, it could be someone (or something!) entirely different by the time the show's viewers are let in on the secret. And other than saying the pregnancy will make any romantic relationship for Scully `a little awkward' in the foreseeable future, series creator Chris Carter remains mum, so to speak.

`We still don't know who the father is', he claims, seemingly at odds with Anderson. `We're going to deal how Scully got pregnant and it will have to be in a delicate, but somewhat provocative, way. But we've not done anything like this on the show before so this is new.'

Along with Carter, Anderson undoubtedly is hoping the identity of the father and other revelations will help focus attention back to the on-screen mysteries of The X-Files and away from recent behind-the-scenes controversies. She admits there is `a very strong personality attraction' between her and the new regular character, Robert Patrick's Agent John Doggett. `This season feels good,' she says, `It feels fresh. The opportunity of creating a new character has imbued the show with a new energy and enthusiasm, so there's a feeling of starting over, in a sense.'

They also have a vote currently going on at their site (www.cableguide.co.uk) asking which character you prefer, Agent Fox Mulder or Agent John Doggett.


Source: NTL, Thanks Andy!