Gillian Anderson is still dreaming

Get a sneak peek of our upcoming cover story with legendary American actress Gillian Anderson as she discusses what it means to be a dreamer, her legacy, and the evolution of the entertainment industry.

Art + CultureCover starsIssue 31: The Dreamers

July 4, 2024

WritersJordan Rossi, Nimi Raja
Photographer Rankin

Gillian Anderson is the ultimate dream-maker. Without even realising it, she has inspired a generation to believe they could go into Stem-related jobs. Coined as the “Scully effect”, it demonstrated that women who regularly tuned into The X Files were 50 per cent more likely to pursue a career in science, tech, engineering and maths, according to the Geena Davis Institute. Thirty years after the series first aired, Anderson, 55, is finally acknowledging and embracing the power she has to inspire people to dream. There’s a revolution happening not just in creativity but how we define our sense of self, she tells HUNGER.

Jordan Rossi: LA inspired this issue because it feels like it’s the place where dreams can happen. It’s constantly regenerating, and is very much about the now – would you agree?

Gillian Anderson: I feel like LA died for a bit. It used to be that in the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties – the place you’d want to be that felt energetic – but then in the 2000s onward it felt like the last place you’d go to for inspo. But maybe there’s some kind of reawakening there. I can see that.

Gillian wears Serpent Bohème Solarité hoop earrings in 18K white gold and diamond and bracelet by BOUCHERON and dress by MAGDA BUTRYM.

Gillian wears Quatre Radiant Edition pendant earrings in 18K white gold and diamond by BOUCHERON, t-shirt by ISABEL MARANT and trousers by STELLA MCCARTNEY.

Gillian wears Coquillage Pendant earrings in 18K white gold, fusinus colus natural shell, mother-of-peal and diamond from the Ailleurs Carte Blanche High Jewellery collection and Quatre Black Edition ring in 18K white gold, diamonds and black PVD by BOUCHERSON, shirt by DIOR and trousers by STELLA MCCARTNEY.

Gillian wears En Passant necklace in 18K white gold, rock crystal and diamond from the Contemplation Carte Blanche High Jewellery collection and En Passant ring in 18K white gold and diamond from the Contemplation Carte Blanche High Jewellery collection by BOUCHERON, top by MAGDA BUTRYM and trousers by STELLA MCCARTNEY.

Gillian wears Nuri ear cuff in 18K white gold, diamonds and lacquer by BOUCHERON and top by JW ANDERSON.

Gillian wears Quatre Black Edition rings and bracelet in 18K white gold, diamonds and black PVD by BOUCHERON and top by JW ANDERSON.

Gillian wears Quatre Radiant Edition pendant earrings in 18K white gold and diamond by BOUCHERON, t-shirt by ISABEL MARANT and trousers by STELLA MCCARTNEY.

Gillian wears Vendome necklace in 18K yellow gold and diamond by BOUCHERON and bodysuit by GALVAN.

Gillian wears Serpent Bohème Solarité necklace in 18K yellow gold and diamond by BOUCHERON and vest and trousers by STELLA MCCARTNEY.

Nimi Raja: What does “The Dreamers” mean to you?

GA: It’s interesting, I feel for the first time that “dreamers” today is less of an age-specific thing and feels more cross-generational. I don’t think of it the way I did ten years ago, when I’d say it was a twenty or thirtysomething thing – someone fresh out of uni, with their whole life ahead of them. But right now it feels like we’re at a moment in time where anything goes. That’s not just being led by the youth, though. It’s anyone with some gumption. It is a multigenerational thing. Everyone is wearing rocket boosters.

This excerpt was taken from HUNGER Issue 31: The Dreamers. Full story is available in stores worldwide now!