‘X-Files’ star Gillian Anderson reveals parenting regret, says she wishes she was 'less selfish'

August 17, 2026 - 15:11

Gillian Anderson is getting candid about the toll that fame took on her early years as a mother. The actress, best known for playing Dana Scully on the hit series "The X-Files," recently admitted that she wishes she had been "less selfish" when her daughter was young. Anderson was balancing a grueling production schedule that often stretched to 17-hour days, and she now looks back on that period with a sense of regret.

In a recent interview, Anderson reflected on the challenges of raising her first child while working on the iconic show. She said that the demanding hours left her with little energy or time for her family, and she often felt torn between her career and her responsibilities at home. The actress acknowledged that she made choices back then that she would not make today, noting that her focus was heavily skewed toward her work.

Anderson explained that the pressure of being the lead on a major television series, combined with the constant travel and long nights on set, made it difficult to be fully present as a parent. She described herself as being in survival mode, trying to get through each day without enough sleep or personal time. Looking back, she feels she could have been more emotionally available to her daughter, Piper, who is now in her late twenties.

The star did not dwell on the negative, however. She also spoke about the lessons she has learned over the years and how those experiences shaped her as a person. Anderson said that becoming a mother again later in life gave her a second chance to approach parenting with more patience and awareness. She now tries to prioritize quality time with her younger children and is more intentional about setting boundaries between work and home.

While she admits to feeling a pang of guilt about those early years, Anderson also showed herself grace. She noted that every parent does the best they can with the tools they have at the time. Her honesty about the struggle is a reminder that even successful, celebrated actors face the same doubts and worries as anyone else when it comes to raising kids.