The X-Files star Gillian Anderson reveals why she left Hollywood at the height of her fame

Gillian Anderson became a household name in the nineties thanks to her role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the beloved sci-fi series, The X-Files.

But the 52-year-old has now reflected on her decision to flee Hollywood at the height of her fame and move to London. 

Speaking to TV WEEK, the actress recalled: ‘I had a complicated relationship with becoming so famous so young and seeing the worst part of what the industry can be. I really hated it and wanted to get away.’ 

Gillian continued: ‘Now I’m older, I can put it all in perspective. The rewards that I’ve been blessed with for following my instincts are many, and I never got to the point of even considering moving back to America.’

The star added that she ‘always missed the UK and always knew she was going to end up back here.’

Soon after she was born in Chicago, the Emmy winner and her family relocated to Puerto Rico for 15 months and then London.

The Sex Education star returned to the United States with her family at the age of 11 where they settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Stardom: Gillian Anderson became a household name in the nineties thanks to her role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the beloved sci-fi series, The X-Files. She pictured in 1993 with her co-star David Duchovny

The actress recalled: ‘I had a complicated relationship with becoming so famous so young and seeing the worst part of what the industry can be. I really hated it and wanted to get away.’ Gillian and David are pictured with their awards at the 1997 Golden Globes

Meanwhile, Gillian is currently earning award season praise for her portrayal of former U.K Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Crown. 

While most simply praised Gillian for her eerily perfect performance as Thatcher, complete with her famous drawl, others already tipped her for a win at the Emmy Awards in 2021.

Speaking to The Sun, Gillian revealed she received help from two vocal coaches and rehearsed in ‘dark and abandoned rooms’ to channel the late politician, who led the country from 1979 until 1990.

Home is where the heart is: The star added that she ‘always missed the UK and always knew she was going to end up back here.’ Gillian and her family relocated to London soon after she was born and returned to America when she was 11

She admitted getting into costume also helped her play the stateswoman as she said: ‘Never in my life would I wear the shoes she wore. But walking in the way I learned to walk as her, and in those shoes, just helped so much.’

The Crown’s fourth series focuses on Thatcher’s rise to power and her dramatic social reforms in the 1980s, which divided the country as it led to nationwide poverty and the 1984 miners strike.

The series also saw the debut of actress Emma Corrin as Princess Diana, depicting her romance and eventual marriage to Prince Charles and how their relationship came to a turbulent end.

Impressive: Gillian is currently earning award season praise for her portrayal of former U.K Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Crown