‘X-Files' star Gillian Anderson reveals her one parenting regret

August 18, 2026 - 16:28

Gillian Anderson is getting honest about the one thing she wishes she had done differently as a mother. The X-Files star recently shared that she has a lingering regret about how she handled parenting her eldest daughter while her career was taking off.

Anderson, who became a household name playing Dana Scully in the 1990s, said the demands of filming made it difficult to be present in the way she wanted. She explained that she often had to leave her daughter for long stretches of time, and looking back, she feels she missed out on certain moments that she can never get back.

The actress said that at the time, she believed she was doing the right thing by working hard to provide for her family. But now, with more perspective, she realizes that her daughter may have needed her presence more than she needed the financial security. Anderson described the feeling as a quiet ache that stays with her, even though she knows she did her best with the circumstances she had.

She also noted that parenting does not come with a manual, and every parent makes choices they later question. Her hope is that by speaking openly about her own doubts, she can help other working parents feel less alone in their struggles. Anderson remains close with her daughter today, but she admits that the early years still weigh on her mind.