David Duchovny isn't a big science fiction fan.

David Duchovny

David Duchovny

The 55-year-old actor plays FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder in the TV series, which is to return for six episodes following a successful nine-year run from 1993 to 2002, but he admits the genre of the programme doesn't really appeal to him much.

When quizzed on what sort of stories 'The X-Files' reboot should be telling in the 21st century, he replied: "I don't really know because I've never been a science fiction guy myself.

"It's really about the humanity of the world of the characters and that's what resonates with this show."

The star insists the series has managed to be "fashionable", despite never making a big attempt to be current.

He added to SFX magazine: "I don't think the show ever tried to be in fashion and I think that's what makes it fashionable.

"Conspiracies will always be interesting drama and they have always been with us."

But David admitted the writers can sometimes be slightly ahead of their time with their sci-fi predictions.

He explained: "In the last movie, we had head replacement and Chris [Carter, series creator] was sure this would be happening in a few years but he's obviously wrong.

"We jumped the gun a little on head replacement but that's the kind of thing you can do as science fiction becomes science."