And they say public outcry does not work.
The news that The X-Files Season 11 would have an all-male writers room was met with discontent – and now, it seems like the show is, at least, trying to make amends, as TVLine is reporting that Season 11 will have two female directors.
Carol Banker, who has a long history with The X-Files, having served as script supervisor on the show from 1999-2002 and as a director on The Lone Gunmen will direct one episode, while Holly Dale, who has directed more than 100 hours of episodic TV, in series like Being Erica, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Grimm, Timeless and Reign will direct the other.
Now, let’s be clear, this is a step in the right direction, but it’s a small step. Two women out of ten episodes isn’t exactly groundbreaking, though for The X-Files, it might as well be. Let’s, after all, remember that the original series had just 2 female directors for the whole of it’s 207 episode run – and one of those was Gillian Anderson, the series star.
It’s better than nothing, some will say, and though we undoubtedly agree, we think it’s time we ask the media we consume to do better – to be better. And let’s this serve as a lesson – being loud and vocal does work, so ask for what you want.
UPDATE: Buzfeed is reporting that, ON TOP of the two female directors, The X-Files Season 11 will also have 2 female writers. X-Files News confirms that Karen Nielsen and writing team Kristen Cloke and Shannon Hamblin are the writers joining the series.
The X-Files is set to return to FOX in 2018.
