David Duchovny Talks ‘X-Files’ Return: Mulder Was the ‘Worst FBI Agent of All Time’

David Duchovny has opened up about the limited series return of Fox’s “The X-Files,” which delighted global sci-fi fans when announced this week and made stars of he and Gillian Anderson in the 1990s.

Show creator Chris Carter will bring back FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully for six episodes. Duchovny is making the rounds for his new NBC crime drama “Aquarius,” and naturally got hit with questions about the what’s in store for the paranormal show.

“I’m as curious as anybody else,” Duchovny told the New York Times. “I’m amazed that there’s still an appetite for it and I’m touched. I think the frame of the show is so expansive and so unique and so influential, that it should feel present.”

In an era when quality television is abundant across platforms, Duchovny was quick to point out that “X-Files” is seen as a cult phenomenon because of its genre, not for lack of mass appeal.

“They call it a cult show but it wasn’t really a cult show. It was actually a big hit,” Duchovny said. “People call it a cult show because of the subject matter.”

Indeed the series ran for nine years, spawned two films and, as the Times points out, helped writers like Vince Gilligan (“Breaking Bad”) and Howard Gordon (“Homeland”) cut their teeth.

In terms of timing, Duchovny said “if we waited too much longer people would eventually lose interest. It’s different from something like ‘Star Trek’ which started out campy and then, especially with the J.J. Abrams stuff, became legit somehow. You might argue with me, but I always felt like we were legit.”

The show might be legit, but the “Californication” star isn’t too sure about his own Agent Mulder.

“The interesting thing about Mulder is nominally he is law enforcement but he never solved one case in nine years. So he’s the worst F.B.I. agent of all time,” he said.

“The X-Files” limited series has not yet announced an air date.