Gillian Anderson is about to smash it in The First Lady, as she takes on the role of Eleanor Roosevelt – but it might just have been years in the making.
The Crown actress is turning her hand to the new role in the Showtime anthology, which takes a look into life as the First Lady of the United States, and also stars Viola Davis as Michelle Obama.
However, a good 25 years earlier, Gillian was starring in sci-fi series The X-Files as FBI agent Dana Scully.
In one season four scene, which now feels a little eerie, David Duchovny’s Fox Mulder asks his colleague: ‘Hey Scully, if you could live your life as somebody else for a day, who would it be?’
‘Hopefully myself,’ she responds, as he hits back: ‘So boring. I mean, wouldn’t you be tempted to try out somebody else’s existence for a day?’
After a tad more pushing, Scully gives in and answers: ‘Alright then, Eleanor Roosevelt.’
Coincidence?! Well, probably, but it won’t stop us thinking there’s something suspicious going on.
The conversation happens in episode 20 of season four, which was released in April 1997.
The X-Files, which ran from 1993 to 2002, was created by Chris Carter and starred Gillian and David as the FBI agents investigating extra-terrestrial occurrences.
It’s not the first time TV has made a very accurate prediction – in fact, The Simpsons is kind of the main character in that area.