Gillian Anderson Reflects on Career Choices and Family Impact

Gillian Anderson recently discussed the sacrifices she made when her career in Hollywood began, acknowledging that her choices affected her family. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the 58-year-old actress known for her role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully on “The X-Files” shared her regrets as a young mother and how the intense production schedule of the show impacted her family life.

Initially, Anderson stated, “I have absolutely no regrets in my life.” However, she reconsidered, saying, “No, there are a couple of things, in terms of early parenting, that I now would say, I wish I’d thought this through or I wish I’d been less selfish.”

Anderson became a mother at 26, welcoming her daughter Piper with her first husband, Clyde Klotz, who was the assistant art director on “The X-Files.” This was shortly after filming for the series started. The show’s success and demanding schedule made it difficult for her to balance work and family.

When Anderson and Klotz divorced in 1997, Piper spent time between her mother in Los Angeles and her father in Vancouver. To maintain educational consistency for Piper, who attended a French school in both cities, the young girl had to travel frequently.

“It was intense for her, with no French in the household, to suddenly be getting on a plane every three weeks,” Anderson revealed. “It’s a lot to ask of a six-year-old.”

During her time on “The X-Files,” Anderson was working long hours. Despite being a central star alongside David Duchovny, she felt she couldn’t push back against the schedule. She later realized she had more influence than she believed at the time.

Anderson has commented before on how she might have made different choices as a career-focused mother. In a past conversation with The Sunday Times, she pondered a life where she worked less and was more present with her children.

“There’s another version of my life where I could have worked less, had a smaller life and been more present as a parent. I could have chosen that,” Anderson admitted. Yet, the opportunity to work in roles she dreamed of and to maintain financial stability influenced her decisions.

Anderson’s approach to parenting evolved after having sons Oscar and Felix with businessman Mark Griffiths. Reflecting on her career path, she acknowledged the complexities of balancing work with family responsibilities.

Despite her reflections on possible changes, Anderson has continued her acting career after her rise to fame from “The X-Files.” Her recent work includes roles in “The Crown,” “Sex Education,” and other projects like “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma,” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.

As she approaches 60, Anderson continues to enjoy her work, reconsidering plans to slow down and focus on directing and art.

“I’m having so much fun,” she concluded. Entertainment journalist Christina Dugan Ramirez, who joined Fox News Digital in 2024, has a history of covering high-profile events and interviewing influential stars over her 15-year career.