NEWS'X-Files' Star Gillian Anderson Regrets Being 'Selfish' as a Young Mom
Gillian Anderson reflected on her parenting regrets in a candid interview.
Aug. 17 2026, Published 6:24 a.m. ET
Gillian Anderson is reflecting on her decades-spanning Hollywood career and the sacrifices she made for it at the expense of her family.
The 58-year-old actress recently appeared for an interview with The Sunday Times, where she admitted that, when it comes to parenting, she wishes she had done a few things differently.
Gillian Anderson Opened Up About Parenting Regrets
Gillian Anderson became a mother at just 26 years old.
The actress gained worldwide fame playing FBI agent Dana Scully on the hit Fox series The X-Files. She eventually married the show’s assistant art director, Clyde Klotz, while filming the show, and they welcomed their daughter, Piper, when Anderson was just 26.
The former couple divorced in 1997, and their young daughter had to travel back and forth between Los Angeles and Vancouver regularly to spend time with her parents.
Although she initially remarked, "I have absolutely no regrets in my life,” she changed her answer upon reflecting on those years.
Gillian Anderson admitted she wishes she could be 'less selfish' as a young mother.
“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,” she said.
“It was intense for her,” she said of her then young child.
“With no French in the household, to suddenly be getting a plane every three weeks,” she stated before adding, “It’s a lot to ask of a six-year-old.”
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Gillian Anderson Said She Didn't Realize She Had Leverage Over 'The X-Files'
Gillian Anderson said she didn't realize she could have leverage over 'The X-Files.'
Anderson was one of the main characters of the series, alongside David Duchovny’s Fox Mulder.
However, at the time she didn't realize that she could use her position to push back against the demanding 17-hour days she was required to work on set.
“That show couldn’t have [been] done without [me], and so I had leverage that I’m not sure I knew,” she said.
The Hannibal star’s approach to motherhood changed after she welcomed her sons, Oscar and Felix, with her ex-boyfriend, businessman Mark Griffiths.
She noted the same in a previous interview with The Sunday Times, saying, “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; that could happen.”
Gillian Anderson said she's 'having so much fun' working these days.
“But sometimes it feels like why would you, if you keep getting work as an actor, doing things you dreamt of doing and being offered incredible roles at this age, while paying the bills, and you still get to see them a huge percentage of the time and they witness a mother enjoying her work?” Anderson added.
She also told the outlet in the recent interview that she feels “very lucky to still be working," particularly as she initially thought she would transition into a more directorial role in her 60s.
“I’m having so much fun,” she added.
