‘The X-Files’ Season 11: Annabeth Gish Set To Return As Monica Reyes

Annabeth Gish is returning for Season 11 of “The X-Files.”

Gish announced on Instagram that she’s reprising her role as former FBI agent Monica Reyes in the upcoming 10-episode run of the Fox series.

The 46-year-old actress appeared in 23 episodes of the show’s original run and returned for the finale of last year’s revival. Gish joined the Chris Carter-created series in 2008, along with Robert Patrick, who played her character’s friend and partner FBI agent John Doggett. Gish was introduced as a recurring cast member in Season 8 and was promoted to a series regular in Season 9. She, however, only appeared in one episode in Season 10.

READ: When will filming for “The X-Files” Season 11 start?

According to Entertainment Weekly, Gish and Patrick were cast on “The X-Files” as part of the network’s effort to continue the series following the departure of David Duchovny from the show amid a contract dispute. Reyes and Doggett were dubbed by some fans as the unwelcome potential replacement for the show’s lead characters, Fox Mulder (Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson).

It was revealed last season that Reyes was called to meet the Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis), who had been badly burned after he was blown up in Mexico at the end of the original series finale. The Cigarette Smoking Man made Reyes a deal to spare her life and to work for him.

Reyes met with Scully and revealed her alliance with the Cigarette Smoking Man. After Scully called her a coward, Reyes defended herself by saying that she accepted the offer with the secret intention to sabotage the Cigarette Smoking Man’s plans. Reyes also told Scully that the Cigarette Smoking Man loves Mulder and wants to make a deal with him.

While plot details about Season 11 are being kept under wraps, Duchovny told IGN at last month’s San Diego Comic-Con that it will be better than Season 10. “I think the handicap of the last season with only six episodes was just that — six episodes,” the actor said.

“So much ground had to be covered even in the first two [episodes], which was reiterating or repeating or reminding people of the show and [its] issues … and the characters and their issues. It was a lot of treading water that had to be done to satisfy both old and new viewers. And by the time we did that we were already almost halfway through what we were doing.”

“I think now that we have 10 [episodes], obviously, there’s going to be a little bit of recap, a little bit of refresher — I’m assuming. … But once we handle that, then I think we’re off and running for a good nine and a half episodes,” continued the two-time Golden Globe-winner. “This is gonna be great. It will be more relaxed. I think it will be a better season.”

Besides Duchovny, Anderson and Gish, Mitch Pileggi will also reprise his role as Walter Skinner next season.

“The X-Files” Season 11 will premiere midseason on Fox.