SCREEN RANT – As a brand-new take on The X-Files approaches, free streaming service Pluto TV is honoring the classic series that defined a generation by streaming all 11 seasons. Last month, the Paramount-owned platform began “The Fan is Out There” contest, determined to discover the biggest X-Files fan and invite them to Joshua Tree for a nine-day marathon of their favorite show.

Eager viewers can join in the marathon experience by streaming The X-Files on Pluto TV alongside winner Molly Hottle, either linearly from the dedicated 24/7 channel, or by picking out their personal highlight episodes on demand. To kick off the marathon, which began at 9am PT on April 20 and lasts for nine days, Pluto TV brought revival series star Robbie Amell and several members of the press to Joshua Tree.

Looking Back At Life With The X-Files

ScreenRant was among the party, enjoying a paranormal-themed dinner, stargazing activities, and a sneak peek at the off-grid “bunker” where Hottle was to spend the next nine days. While there, Amell sat down for an interview about his time on X-Files seasons 10 and 11, his career as a whole, and his thoughts on Ryan Coogler’s upcoming reboot.

ScreenRant: How did that experience on The X-Files change your perspective on the franchise or fandom?
Robbie Amell: It didn’t really change. I was so happy to be a part of it. It was one of those things you audition for because you’re like, “It’s The X-Files!” But you never actually think you’ll get it because it’s The X-Files. You’re like, “This is iconic.” It was pretty wild when I got it.

Chris Carter is brilliant and could not have been nicer. He’s just wildly intelligent, and he always has everything under control. I’ve never seen anybody more chill in a very unchill environment, which is what it’s like if you’ve ever made a TV show.

David and Gillian are maybe the most iconic duo in television history. 218 episodes of the biggest sci-fi show ever, and they were super down-to-earth, very kind, and very generous with their time. It was everything you would hope it would be.

ScreenRant: What did you take away from working with icons such as those two?
Robbie Amell: It wasn’t The X-Files-specific; it was David and Gillian-specific. To be the leads of a 218-episode massive hit and not have any ego about it, but just to be great people. That’s what I took away from it: how impressive it was, and they work very hard. They put their prep work in, and they do an amazing job. But talking to David about work-life balance was really interesting for me.

ScreenRant: Do you have any headcanons for Agent Miller outside of what was onscreen?
Robbie Amell: Chris is so brilliant that anything I would come up with is not going to touch what he has. He was very good about talking to Lauren [Ambrose] and me about our backstory, our history, and our relationship.

Because not a lot of it is onscreen, but it had to feel like it is. The relationship had to feel worn in a little bit, and he was wonderful about that. But when you’re working with somebody like that, you take everything he gives you and then make the character, not the other way around.

ScreenRant: Do you have favorite episodes of classic X-Files that you would recommend people stream on Pluto TV?
Robbie Amell: You have to watch the pilot. If you want to go dark, watch “Home.” It got pulled off TV for a little while. My favorite episode is “X-Cops”, which is X-Files mixed with Cops. It’s just a great episode, and there are moments you can see David laughing and really enjoying himself in the episode. I would watch an entire series of X-Cops. I think that would be great. I should talk to Chris Carter. We need to make X-Cops!

Robbie Amell Endorses X-Files Reboot & Reflects On His Career

ScreenRant: Obviously, the reboot is coming, and Ryan Coogler is helming it. What are you most excited about for that? What are you nervous about?
Robbie Amell: I’m not nervous about anything. I’m a huge Ryan Coogler fan. He doesn’t miss. For him to get the blessing of Chris Carter, and for Gillian to be talking about how excited she is for it? I mean, great. I’m very excited to see what he does. I have no reservations.

ScreenRant: I’m curious what folks stop you for most or quote back at you most, whether it’s X-Files or something else. Personally, my favorite roles of yours are The DUFF and Firestorm in The Flash, but Upload is amazing too. You have so much to choose from!
Robbie Amell: I like to say that I’m snap-famous. People are like, “I know you from…”, and they’re waiting for me to finish their sentence. I’m like, “Let’s play this game. You know me from…?”

I’m very lucky that I have worked across several genres, and I don’t feel like I’m known for one thing. But I get a lot of The Flash. I get a lot of Upload. I get the occasional How I Met Your Mother because people love that show, and I played a weird character on it. Somebody will be like, “Bro, Scooby,” and I’m like, “Yeah, you’re the guy that loves me from How I Met Your Mother.”

I’m always very flattered, and it’ll never be normal. The best time for it to happen is when I’m with my mom, because it makes her prouder than anybody.

ScreenRant: More people should be saying The Tomorrow People.
Robbie Amell: You know what? When I get a Tomorrow People fan, they are like, “Why didn’t that show go on for longer?” And I’m like, “Thanks.” The answer is episodes 1- 5 were against an ALDS baseball game, 20 million viewers, Country Music Awards, 20 million viewers, and the World Series. Five episodes in a row with 20 million viewers for something else! It just totally shafted The Tomorrow People.