Career Timeline of Gillian Anderson: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Gillian Anderson made an impact.
Gillian Anderson is an American actress, writer, and activist recognized for her diverse roles. She gained prominence as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in *The X-Files*, Lily Bart in *The House of Mirth*, DSI Stella Gibson in *The Fall*, Jean Milburn in *Sex Education*, and Margaret Thatcher in *The Crown*. Anderson's critically acclaimed performances have earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards, solidifying her status as a versatile and accomplished performer.
1990: Moves to New York City
In 1990, at the age of 22, Gillian Anderson moved to New York City and worked as a waitress. She then began her career in Alan Ayckbourn's play Absent Friends at the Manhattan Theatre Club.
1991: Wins Theatre World Award for Absent Friends
In 1991, Gillian Anderson won a Theatre World Award for Best Newcomer for her role in Absent Friends.
1992: Moves to Los Angeles and Appears in The Turning
In 1992, Gillian Anderson moved to Los Angeles and appeared in her first feature-length film, The Turning.
1993: Guest Appearance on Class of '96
In 1993, Gillian Anderson broke into mainstream television with a guest appearance on the collegiate drama, Class of '96, on the Fox Network.
1993: The X-Files Premieres
In 1993, Gillian Anderson starred as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the sci-fi series The X-Files (1993–2002; 2016–2018), gaining international recognition.
May 1996: Addressed United States Congress on Neurofibromatosis
In May 1996, Gillian Anderson addressed the United States Congress to advocate for increased education and funding for neurofibromatosis research projects.
1996: Narrates Documentaries
In 1996, Gillian Anderson narrated the television documentaries Spies Above and Why Planes Go Down.
1997: Appears in Chicago Cab
In 1997, Gillian Anderson appeared in the independent film Chicago Cab.
1997: Collaboration with Hal and Album Assembly
In 1997, Gillian Anderson provided spoken word vocals and starred in the music video for Hal's single "Extremis" and helped to assemble the album Future: A Journey Through The Electronic Underground.
1998: Stars in Fight the Future
In 1998, Gillian Anderson starred in the X-Files film Fight the Future.
1998: Co-stars in The X-Files: Fight the Future
In 1998, between the fifth and sixth seasons of The X-Files, Gillian Anderson co-starred in The X-Files: Fight the Future, a film that continued The X-Files storyline.
1998: The X-Files Film Released
In 1998, during her time on The X-Files, a related film was produced and released continuing The X-Files storyline.
1999: Voices Moro in Princess Mononoke
In 1999, Gillian Anderson voiced the character of Moro in the English-language release of Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke.
2000: Stars in The House of Mirth
In 2000, Gillian Anderson played Lily Bart in the drama film The House of Mirth.
2001: Emceed Rock for Choice Concert Fundraiser
In 2001, Gillian Anderson emceed the Rock for Choice concert fundraiser, which supported reproductive options and featured musicians and actresses.
2002: Returns to London and West End Debut
In 2002, Gillian Anderson moved back to London after The X-Files ended and made her West End debut in What The Night Is For.
2002: The X-Files Ends
In 2002, Gillian Anderson's role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the sci-fi series The X-Files came to an end.
2004: Stars in The Sweetest Swing in Baseball
In 2004, Gillian Anderson starred in The Sweetest Swing in Baseball at the Royal Court Theatre.
2005: Appears in Bleak House and The Mighty Celt
In 2005, Gillian Anderson appeared as Lady Dedlock in the BBC adaptation of Bleak House and starred in The Mighty Celt, winning an IFTA award.
2005: Stars in The Mighty Celt and Bleak House
In 2005, Gillian Anderson appeared in the drama The Mighty Celt and also played Lady Dedlock in Bleak House.
2005: Started Crowdfunding for Alinyiikira Junior School
In 2005, while filming The Last King of Scotland, Gillian Anderson started a crowdfunding venture to benefit the Alinyiikira Junior School in Kampala, Uganda.
2006: Appears in The Last King of Scotland
During 2006, Gillian Anderson appeared in the British film The Last King of Scotland.
2007: Appears in Straightheads
During 2007, Gillian Anderson appeared in the British film Straightheads.
2008: Co-founded SAYes
In 2008, Gillian Anderson co-founded South African Youth Education for Sustainability (SAYes), an organization that empowers marginalized young people in South Africa through youth mentoring.
2008: Hosts Masterpiece Theatre and Stars in The X-Files: I Want to Believe
In 2008, Gillian Anderson hosted Masterpiece Theatre and starred in The X-Files: I Want to Believe.
2008: Stars in I Want to Believe
In 2008, Gillian Anderson starred in the second X-Files film I Want to Believe.
2008: Second X-Files Film Released
In 2008, a second related film, The X-Files: I Want to Believe, was produced and released.
2009: Stars in Boogie Woogie
In 2009, Gillian Anderson starred in the British comedy film Boogie Woogie.
February 2011: Narrated Short Film About Uncontacted Tribe
In February 2011, Gillian Anderson narrated a short film about recent footage of an uncontacted tribe in the Amazon.
June 2011: Became Ambassador for Survival International
In June 2011, Gillian Anderson became an ambassador for Survival International, a tribal rights charity.
2011: Ended Philanthropic Project for Alinyiikira Junior School
In 2011, Gillian Anderson concluded her philanthropic project benefiting the Alinyiikira Junior School in Kampala, Uganda, which she had started in 2005.
2011: Stars in Great Expectations
In 2011, Gillian Anderson played Miss Havisham in Great Expectations.
2012: Stars in Shadow Dancer
In 2012, Gillian Anderson appeared in Shadow Dancer.
2012: Joined Greenpeace in Standing with People of Brazil
In 2012, Gillian Anderson joined Greenpeace in standing with the people of Brazil for a zero-deforestation law to save the Amazon.
2013: Backed Cheetah Conservation Fund and Joined Fishlove Campaign
In 2013, Gillian Anderson backed the Cheetah Conservation Fund by creating a short film and joined the Fishlove campaign, supporting the fight against unsustainable fishing practices.
2013: Stars in The Fall
In 2013, Gillian Anderson began her role as Det Supt Stella Gibson in the BBC/RTÉ crime drama series The Fall.
2013: Made a Patron of the Charles Dickens Statue Fund
In 2013, Gillian Anderson was made a patron of the Charles Dickens Statue Fund, contributing to securing funding for the UK's first Dickens statue in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
July 2014: Supported Taught Not Trafficked Campaign
In July 2014, Gillian Anderson supported Childreach International's Taught Not Trafficked campaign, addressing the problem of child trafficking.
March 2015: Backed Women at the Well Drop-In Centre
In March 2015, Gillian Anderson backed the Women at the Well drop-in centre for vulnerable women in London, which is financially supported by Comic Relief.
September 2015: Signed Letter Calling for New Conservation Approach
In September 2015, Gillian Anderson was among the artists who signed a letter calling for a new approach to conservation that would respect tribal peoples' rights.
2015: Became Patron of International Literacy Centre
In 2015, Gillian Anderson became a patron of the International Literacy Centre (ILC), the European home of Reading Recovery.
2015: Hannibal Concludes
In 2015, Gillian Anderson concluded her role as Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier on Hannibal.
January 2016: Helped Launch Reading Recovery Read Aloud Campaign
In January 2016, Gillian Anderson helped launch the International Literacy Centre's Reading Recovery Read Aloud campaign.
March 2016: Held Internet Charity Auction for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Sponsored Refugee Minor
In March 2016, Gillian Anderson held an internet charity auction benefiting Great Ormond Street Hospital, a children's hospital in London, and sponsored an unaccompanied refugee minor in Calais.
June 2016: Became Patron of Temple Legal Centre
In June 2016, Gillian Anderson became a patron of the Temple Legal Centre, a London-based organization providing free family law advice and support.
2016: Signed Pledge to End Sexual Violence in Myanmar
For International Women's Day in 2016, Gillian Anderson signed Burma Campaign UK's pledge to end and investigate crimes of sexual violence against girls and women in Myanmar.
2016: The X-Files Revival
In 2016, Gillian Anderson reprised her role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the revival of the sci-fi series The X-Files.
2017: Stars in Viceroy's House and American Gods
In 2017, Gillian Anderson appeared in Viceroy's House and also played Media in the first season of American Gods.
2018: The X-Files Concludes
In 2018, Gillian Anderson concluded her role as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the sci-fi series The X-Files.
2019: Stars in Sex Education
In 2019, Gillian Anderson began her role as Jean Milburn in the Netflix comedy drama series Sex Education.
2020: Narrated Marks & Spencer Christmas Commercial
In 2020, Gillian Anderson narrated a Marks & Spencer Christmas commercial in the UK, which served as a charity initiative benefiting charities chosen by her and other actors, including The Felix Project, Southall Black Sisters, and Blueprint for All.
2020: Stars in The Crown
In 2020, Gillian Anderson portrayed Margaret Thatcher in the fourth season of the Netflix drama series The Crown.
2021: Won Emmy Award for The Crown
In 2021, Gillian Anderson won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Crown.
2022: Stars in The First Lady
In 2022, Gillian Anderson played Eleanor Roosevelt on The First Lady.
2023: Sex Education Concludes
In 2023, Gillian Anderson concluded her role as Jean Milburn in the Netflix comedy drama series Sex Education.
2023: Launched soft drink company G-Spot
In 2023, Gillian Anderson launched the soft drink company G-Spot.
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