Duchovny's Commanding Second Act

“A show or movie with the staying power of The X-Files happens so rarely, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event for an actor, and a certain residue accrues to a person when they are involved in something like that,” Duchovny says pensively. “There was a prejudice within the Hollywood community where they didn’t know I could do anything else. I understand the residue and I don’t resent it, but certainly I am happy to have created another character that’s so different, in a different genre, and I would love to keep doing that.”

However, Duchovny looks forward to filming a third X-Files film in the near future. “As far as the X-Files movie I’d like to do next, if we get a chance to do it, would be a return to the heart and soul of the mythology, which is the alien-oriented conspiracy. I think it’s natural for The X-Files to have another movie in 2012, so we’ll see if we get to do it.” He defends last year’s widely panned I Want to Believe, as well as the polarizing last few seasons of the television run: “I was happy with it… I have nothing but respect for [X-Files creator] Chris Carter and the writing staff.”

In the meantime, Duchovny predicts that he will play Hank Moody for another two to three years. “One of the great things about doing cable is that going past seven years is not part of the network’s financial model, so I’m not afraid we’ll go too long,” Duchovny says. “[Californication creator] Tom Kapinos and I have a similar vision of how we’d like to go out.”

As for the uncanny similarities between Hank Moody’s family-jeopardizing libido and the scandalous tabloid headlines about Duchovny’s marriage to actress Téa Leoni, the actor says he is not a Method actor and his off-camera struggles do not affect his performance: “I understand why people ask that question, but there is never a personal-life connection between my characters and myself. I’m a professional and I can access what I need to access, so there’s no bleed-over. I didn’t need to believe in aliens to play Mulder. As for my personal life, everything is fantastic right now.”

And those youthful dreams of literary stardom?

“I wrote a novel when I was in 23, which was lousy—more a work of perseverance than anything else, too formless and stream-of-consciousness—but it’s still sitting in a drawer somewhere,” Duchovny says. “I’ve always considered that to be my first identity; it’s something that I hope I’ll get back to at some point. I know it can’t wait forever.”

Plus: Check out more of the latest entertainment, fashion, and culture coverage on Sexy Beast—photos, videos, features, and Tweets.

Marty Beckerman is the author of Generation S.L.U.T. (MTV Books) and Dumbocracy (Disinformation). He has written for Playboy, Discover, Radar and Huffington Post. His website is www.MartyBeckerman.com.

For inquiries, please contact The Daily Beast at editorial@thedailybeast.com.