Yes, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson did experience a period of significant tension and estrangement during the original run of The X-Files.
During the show's initial nine-season run, which spanned from 1993 to 2002, the co-stars notably "drifted apart." Duchovny himself revealed that there was an extended period where they weren't interacting off-camera. He described this time as being filled with "a lot of tension" between them. This situation highlights a complex dynamic that can often arise from intense, prolonged professional collaboration.
Despite these past challenges, the actors have since reconciled and maintained a close, supportive friendship. Their enduring bond became particularly evident during their subsequent reunions for The X-Files revival series, demonstrating that their earlier period of estrangement was eventually overcome.
For more information on their relationship dynamics, you can read about their journey here.
