The worlds of paranormal investigations and high-stakes competition are expanding on streaming, with Hulu ordering Ryan Coogler’s highly anticipated The X-Files reboot to series and Peacock greenlighting Assassins, a new reality competition series executive produced by Scarlett Johansson.
The two projects highlight the continuing appeal of familiar concepts reimagined for modern audiences, bringing fresh creative perspectives to established entertainment traditions.
At Hulu, Coogler, the filmmaker behind Sinners, is leading a new chapter of The X-Files, the iconic science-fiction series created by Chris Carter. The reimagining stars Emmy nominee Himesh Patel, known for Station Eleven and The Odyssey, alongside Danielle Deadwyler, whose credits include The Bell Jar and The Chaperones.
The series follows two highly decorated but distinctly different FBI agents who form an unlikely bond after being assigned to a long-shuttered division dedicated to investigating unexplained phenomena. Blending mystery, science fiction and supernatural intrigue, the reboot aims to preserve the spirit of the original while introducing a new generation of characters and stories.
Coogler wrote, directed and executive produced the pilot through his production company, Proximity Media. He is joined by showrunner Jennifer Yale, with executive producers Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian for Proximity Media, alongside Carter. Simone Harris serves as co-executive producer, as do Deadwyler and Patel.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Coogler said his longstanding admiration for The X-Files made the opportunity particularly meaningful. He also emphasised the importance of respecting the original series while finding a distinctive creative direction for the reboot. Coogler praised the cast for bringing fresh perspectives to their roles and credited his collaborators, production team and studio partners for helping bring the new vision to life.
Meanwhile, Johansson is exploring a different corner of television as executive producer of Assassins, a newly greenlit reality competition series for Peacock.
Produced by Sony’s B17 Entertainment, the series will be executive produced by Johansson alongside B17 founders Brien Meagher and Rhett Bachner. The programme draws inspiration from a real-life game popular around the world, particularly on college campuses, in which participants are assigned targets and attempt to eliminate them from the game.
In Assassins, players must rely on strategy, deception and carefully negotiated alliances to outmanoeuvre their competitors. Each participant begins with a designated target, but the rules ensure that no one is simply the hunter: every player is also vulnerable to being hunted. As the competition progresses, trust becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, and only the most calculating contestant can hope to emerge victorious.
The premise builds on the familiar concept of tag, transforming a social game into a reality competition centred on suspense and psychological strategy. It also reflects the broader popularity of television formats inspired by real-life games, particularly those built around hidden identities, shifting loyalties and deception.
One of the most prominent examples is Peacock’s The Traitors, which draws loosely from the social deduction game Mafia. With the platform continuing to invest in the franchise, including further editions of its celebrity competition, Assassins could offer another variation on the strategy-driven reality format.
Although The X-Files and Assassins occupy very different genres, both projects tap into the tension of uncertainty. Coogler’s reboot explores the mysteries of the unexplained through the eyes of FBI investigators, while Johansson’s competition series turns suspicion and unpredictability into the foundation of a high-stakes game.
Together, the two developments demonstrate how streaming platforms continue to balance the reinvention of established properties with original takes on familiar concepts. Whether audiences are drawn to unexplained phenomena or the thrill of a calculated betrayal, both series promise to make uncertainty a central part of the viewing experience.
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