Given the perpetual seriousness of Agent Dana Scully, it should have come as a surprise to no one when Gillian Anderson made the post-X-Files decision to step into deeper dramatic waters, appearing in a London production of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House as well as television adaptations of such literary fare as Charles Dickens’ Bleak House and Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. But appearing in Johnny English Reborn? Now that was unexpected. Anderson’s latest role, which finds her working closer to anticipated form, is Miss Havisham in Great Expectations, which airs on ... [Continua a leggere]

No one, as far as I know, has come to the Berlinale in search of Gillian Anderson, the strawberry-blonde vixen who set millions of hearts aflutter -- and not just male ones -- with her role in the supernaturally beloved ’90s show The X-Files. But Anderson has surprised those of us who love her by showing up -- in small roles, but still -- in two films here, James Marsh’s Shadow Dancer and Ursula Meier’s Sister. In Shadow Dancer, a thriller set in early-‘90s Belfast, she’s a British secret-service officer who squares off against a colleague (played by Clive ... [Continua a leggere]

Gillian Anderson is best known for playing straight-laced Dana Scully in The X-Files and also starred as MI7 agent Pamela Thornton (code-named Pegasus) in Johnny English Reborn. The Chicago born actress has three children: Piper, Oscar and Felix. She shares her experience starring in the X-Files and Johnny English Reborn: After starring in The X-Files, you must be an expert on the inner workings of the FBI. Were you able to transfer this to the British Secret Service? You’d think! I don’t know, it’s so hard to know what one uses for what. I have to imagine ... [Continua a leggere]

Gillian Anderson has battled alien invaders, faced shadowy conspiracies, and played some of the most memorable women in literature. So, what intimidates her? Watching herself onscreen. "The first time I see something I'm in, it's very hard for me," she admits. "I've got one thing on my mind and one thing only: picking apart my performance." Fortunately, she recently had a second chance to see her new comedy, "Johnny English Reborn," and was able to enjoy it much more this time around. As the single-minded agent brought in to revamp MI-7, Anderson's character brings the bumbling secret agent Jo ... [Continua a leggere]

You're starring in the slapstick comedy Johnny English Reborn, which seems an unusual choice for you. Was that part of the appeal?I generally like to make choices based on who I'd like to work with - and I liked the idea of playing the MI7 [spy agency] role with Rowan Atkinson. I think the thing that surprised me the most was how technical it was . . . I was aware of how I needed to work my technical muscle in a way that I hadn't before. Is the atmosphere on the set of a comedy film different from that on, say, a period drama?There's a heightened sense of comedy around and there ... [Continua a leggere]

Having tea with Gillian Anderson is a thoroughly pleasant business — a splash of muted glamour in a fairly drab London autumn. I thoroughly recommend it, as a more engaging companion it would be a challenge to find. We meet in the studiously bijou surroundings of the Zetter Townhouse in St John’s Square, chosen, I suspect, because no one there has the slightest clue who she is. She is wearing the no-make-up disguise, and glides serenely under London’s radar, something she clearly enjoys. She is a tad jetlagged, she says, having just arrived home from a three-week s ... [Continua a leggere]

Playing the boss of a government intelligence agency might be considered a step up for American actress Gillian Anderson. After all, she spent nine years protecting the population from supernatural terrors and exposing sinister conspiracies as FBI agent Dana Scully in cult 1990s television series The X-Files, but never got a single promotion. She never even got her own office. In her new film, Johnny English Reborn, the sequel to the 2003 spy spoof starring comedian Rowan Atkinson as the bungling titular agent, she is the head of Britain's MI7 and has a top-floor office suite. An ... [Continua a leggere]

Since leaving the cult sci-fi hit almost a decade ago, the Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor has shifted effortlessly between the stage (she was nominated for an Olivier award for her West End role in Ibsen's A Doll's House), TV (nominated for a BAFTA for Lady Dedlock in Dickens's Bleak House) and film (two X-Files films, and The Last King of Scotland). The US-born, England-raised actor lives in London with her three children and partner, Mark Griffiths. She visited Australia with co-star Rowan Atkinson this week to promote their film, James Bond spoof Johnny English Reborn. Q: Wha ... [Continua a leggere]

I'm a lifelong X-Files fan. This is emotion I had to suppress, rather violently, when I was sent to interview Gillian Anderson in a private hotel room on the 24th floor of… alright, you know what? I was freaking out. When I got there I was ferried into an immaculate room, in which two easels bore enormous posters for Johnny English Reborn, the film in which Anderson plays Pegasus, a Judi Dench-type character, and English's boss. Incidentally, I have unbelievable trouble separating character from actor, and given that I get very attached to my heroes, if she'd been unpleasant, it ... [Continua a leggere]

Gillian Anderson was backstage at Wembley Stadium, waiting to address the crowd at a memorial concert for Diana, when Victoria Beckham walked past. Having noticed that Beckham's collar was up, she reached out and flattened it, thinking she was doing the fashion-conscious Posh a favour. ''And you should have seen the look she shot me,'' Anderson laughs, burying her face in her hands. ''Other than the fact I destroyed her look, I also freaked her out because I did it from behind. Now, I try not to be helpful any more, especially where fashion is concerned.'' Sitting by a top-floor w ... [Continua a leggere]

DRAMA and thrills have left Gillian Anderson with a taste for comedy. GILLIAN Anderson shot to fame as Special Agent Dana Scully over nine seasons of The X-Files. Since leaving the cult sci-fi hit nearly a decade ago, the Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor has shifted effortlessly between the stage (she was nominated for an Olivier award for her West End role in Ibsen's A Doll's House), TV (nominated for a BAFTA for Lady Dedlock in Dickens' Bleak House) and film (two X-Files films, and The Last King of Scotland). The US-born, England-raised actor lives in London with her three childre ... [Continua a leggere]

Bullz-Eye: How familiar were you with the original Moby Dick novel before you took this gig? Gillian Anderson: I wasn’t. I started reading it once I agreed to do the job…and got about ¾ of the way through. And at some point in my life, I’d like to finish it, but it, uh, hasn’t been at the top of my books-to-read-list. (Laughs) BE: During the panel, you said you’ve got about five minutes of screen time in the production. Seriously? GA: (Laughs) No, I’m in it a bit more than that. BE: Out of curiosity, were you aware that Melville’s wife& ... [Continua a leggere]

EXCLUSIVE: The X Files star has been cast as MI7 secret agent Pamela Head in Johnny English Reborn. The Working Title film starts shooting in September. Anderson stars opposite Rowan Atkinson, reprising his turn as the buffoonish spy. She’s represented by CAA and Independent Talent in London. ... [Continua a leggere]

X-Files veteran Gillian Anderson has just been cast for the upcoming sequel to Johnny English. Anderson will be starring as MI7 agent Pamela Head opposite the returning Rowan Atkinson who will be reprising his role as the clumsy spy and title character. The film, currently titled Johnny English Reborn, will be directed by Oliver Parker (The Importance of Being Earnest) and written by Hamish McColl (Mr. Bean's Vacation). The Working Title and Universal picture is set to start filming this September. ... [Continua a leggere]