'The X-Files' Revival: Mitch Pileggi On Why Walter Skinner Is Still Assistant Director At FBI

(Photo : Getty Images/Alberto E. Rodriguez) "The X-Files" star Mitch Pileggi teased Walter Skinner's return to the Fox sci-fi series next month.

When "The X-Files" revival premieres next month, viewers will find out that a lot of things have changed since the original run of the series ended in 2002. However, there are also some things that remain the same when the series returns, and one of those is Walter Skinner's position at the FBI.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Pileggi -- who played the character in all nine seasons of the series -- revealed that Skinner still works as an assistant director at the FBI in the upcoming six-episode miniseries.

"He's still in the same office, [but] he's moved his desk," the 63-year-old actor said. "The reason he's still an assistant director is because he was hanging out with Spooky [Fox Mulder] for too long. He's probably been ostracized a little bit by the other higher ups in the FBI, because he hasn't advanced."

When asked why he thinks his character continues to work with the FBI despite his marginalized position at the agency, Pileggi said, "Because that's the type of person he is. The dedication, I think he's a very dedicated person at what he does. He's very dedicated to Mulder [David Duchovny] and [Dana] Scully [Gillian Anderson], but before that, he was very dedicated to his job in the FBI."

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The "Basic Instinct" star continued, "He, obviously, has connections with people who have power, because he is still there. And I would assume, he has something to do with the 'X-Files' being reopened. No one else in the FBI is going to [take that step] ... what those connections are, I don't know."

Pileggi confirmed that he's returning to the series last April.

"Very happy to announce that Walter Skinner will once again be getting all grumpy and bitchy with his two wayward kids," he tweeted at the time, referring to Mulder and Scully. "Very happy."

In the same chat with The Hollywood Reporter, Pileggi said that Skinner is a character that he "always" wants to play.

"It's a great character, a great show, and the excitement about it coming back is palpable," he said. "It's a huge part of my life, and it's a huge part of my career."

Pileggi added, "I told [series creator] Chris [Carter], 'I owe a huge part of my career to you, and to Wes Craven.' [Craven wrote and directed the 1989 film, 'Shocker,' which Pileggi starred in.] Those two people are the most instrumental people in any success I've had. So it's very important to me."

"The X-Files" revival premieres with a special two-night event on Sunday, Jan. 24, and Monday, Jan. 25.