Gillian Anderson opens up about her sexuality, life and career: My life partner is a man, but it could have been a woman

British-American actress Gillian Anderson has shared details about her private life, relationship experiences, sexuality, career and upcoming projects in an interview in which she was particularly open.

Known for her roles as Dana Scully in “The X Files,” Stella Gibson in “The Fall,” Margaret Thatcher in “The Crown” and Emily Maitlis in “Scoop,” Anderson has just returned from the Cannes Film Festival. There, she presented “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.”

In the film, the actress plays Billy Presley, a former teenage horror-film star from the 1980s who lives alone on the original set where the films were made. She described her experience in Cannes as extraordinary.

“It’s madness. There’s a red carpet next to the ocean, with cameras behind you and cameras on either side, and this isn’t even the main one—it’s just a photo call,” she said.

Anderson said that over the past eight years, since turning 50, she has grown closer to her fun and sexual side. An important role during this period was that of sex therapist Jean Milburn in the series “Sex Education.”

In addition to acting, she has edited two books exploring female fantasies, “Want” and “More,” with the latter due to be published in September.

During the interview, the actress also spoke about her early sexual and romantic experiences. She revealed that one of her first relationships was with an older girl when she was in high school.

“One of my first relationships was with an older girl in high school. It wasn’t my first love, but it felt secret, illicit and wrong, and we had to hide,” Anderson recalled.

She explained that she had not defined herself as gay because she had also had relationships with men, while at the time she did not have the necessary vocabulary to express what she was feeling.

According to Anderson, her perspective on herself and relationships changed when she turned 50.

“The person I consider my life partner is a man, but I think I would feel exactly the same if it were a woman. I would feel, ‘This is my life partner,’” she said.

The actress has been married twice. Her first husband was “The X Files” assistant art director Clyde Klotz, while she later married documentary filmmaker Julian Ozanne. Since 2016, she has been in an on-and-off relationship with “The Crown” creator Peter Morgan, although she has not publicly confirmed the relationship.

Anderson also spoke about her childhood and her relationship with her parents, saying that she has been in therapy with her mother for 15 years. She has three children: Piper, 31, from her marriage to Klotz, and sons Oscar, 19, and Felix, 17, from her relationship with British businessman Mark Griffiths.

She also recalled the period when her family left London to settle in Grand Rapids, Michigan, when Anderson was 11.

“Not only did I not fit in, I didn’t want to fit in. I was a punk in a conservative town,” she said, speaking about the insecurity and low self-esteem that accompanied her during that period.

Her career took a major turn when she was cast as FBI agent Dana Scully in “The X Files.” At the time, Anderson was still unknown and has said that she did not believe she had the opportunity to negotiate better terms, even after the series became a global success.

One of the main issues was pay. For three seasons, Anderson fought to receive the same salary as David Duchovny. The actor recently told her on his podcast that he regretted not supporting her more during that period.

Meanwhile, the return of “The X Files” appears increasingly likely. Director Ryan Coogler has filmed the pilot episode of a new series, starring Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel.

Asked whether she would be part of the project, Anderson chose not to give a definitive answer.

“I can’t say for certain,” she replied with a smile, adding that Coogler is “so talented.”

The actress also spoke about her role in the film “The Salt Path,” in which she played Raynor Winn. Following claims that some parts of Winn’s memoir had been fabricated or exaggerated, Anderson described the situation as “really disappointing” and said she experienced it as a betrayal, having spent time with the Winn family.

Another of her projects is a return to the West End. This autumn, she will play Martha in the play “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” performing opposite Billy Crudup.

Anderson has previously been nominated for an Olivier Award for her performances in “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “All About Eve.”

This spring, she also made her runway debut, closing Miu Miu’s show for the fall/winter 2026 collection in Paris.

“Terrifying. I’m very good in heels, but not in chunky heels and clumps of grass. There was no chance my ankle wouldn’t twist,” she said humorously.

After a long career and a wide range of roles, the actress says she feels lucky to continue working and wants to take on new experiences.

“I’m having a lot of fun. Directing takes a little time. Art may have to wait until I’m in my seventies,” Anderson said.

At the end of the conversation, she admitted that this time she had spoken more directly than usual about her sexuality.

“I never talk like this, but it’s my downfall,” she said humorously, before adding: “Be kind.”

“Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” is released on Friday.