‘The X-Files’ Season 11, Episode 2 Featurette: Dean Haglund Teases Langly’s Return

Dean Haglund is reprising his role as Richard Langly in this week’s episode of “The X-Files.” But since Langly died in Season 9 of the Fox series, it remains to be seen how the character will re-appear on the show.

In a featurette for Season 11, episode 2, Haglund teases the improbable return of his fan-favorite character. “How do I explain how I’m here without spoiling everything?” the 52-year-old Canadian actor says in the video. “Let’s just say [episode writer and director] Glen Morgan, who originally created ‘The Lone Gunmen,’ has come up with an amazing brilliant way that brings Langly back.”

Haglund, however, is tight-lipped on whether or not Langly is resurrected from the dead. “Does anyone ever die in science fiction?,” the actor asks, before saying that he’s “thrilled” to be back on the show. “[But] am I dead? That’s the question of the whole episode, isn’t it?”

In a sneak peek from the episode, Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) are awakened by Langly who reaches out to the pair via video call. Puzzled by Langly’s unexpected call, Scully asks Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) if Langly is alive.

“Lone Gunmen Langly?” a confused Skinner asks. “You and I buried him in Arlington along with Byers (Bruce Harwood) and Frohike (Tom Braidwood).”

Mulder and Scully then head to the cemetery to find Langly’s grave. But when they finally locate Langly’s tomb, a mysterious man starts firing at them.

At the end of the featurette, Mulder and Scully meet up with a woman who seems to have information about Langly. “We’re old friends of Richard Langly,” Scully tells the lady.

When Mulder says that they received a message from Langly, the woman quickly replies, “You should go. They’re watching.”

In Season 9, Langly — along with his fellow Lone Gunmen members Byers and Frohike — sacrificed himself to stop a bio-terrorist. However, in the comic book series “The X-Files: Season 10,” it is revealed that the Lone Gunmen faked their deaths and are actually alive and well. The comic book revealed that the trio was aided by the FBI and have since been working underground, aiding the U.S. government.

The comic book was originally presented as the continuation of the series and the official canon. But since the announcement of the show's return in 2016, the comics have been considered as non-canon.

In Season 10, episode 5 of the TV show, Langly, Byers, and Frohike all appeared in a drug-fueled dream sequence.

“The X-Files” Season 11, episode 2, titled “This,” airs on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.