Himesh Patel: From ‘Yesterday’ to The X-Files, The British Star Is About to Go Global

There’s a particular buzz that surrounds an actor when they’re on the cusp of superstardom. It’s not just about the roles they’re landing, but the calibre of the people desperate to work with them. Right now, all that noise is centred on one Himesh Patel.

If you’ve been anywhere near a telly in the last few years, you’ll know the face. Patel was the beating heart of Danny Boyle’s Yesterday, a role that asked him to carry a film on his shoulders—and, just as importantly, to wrap his voice around some of the most beloved Beatles tracks ever written. The ‘Yesterday (Original Soundtrack)’ became a staple in households across Britain, and it cemented Patel as more than just a promising newcomer; it proved he had the soul and the charisma to anchor a global project.

But the industry has a notoriously short memory for a nice voice and a pleasant smile. The real trick is to follow it up with something that makes the moguls sit up and take notice. And if the whispers coming out of the industry’s inner circles are anything to go by, Patel is about to do just that—on a scale that makes a stadium singalong look like a warm-up act.

The Truth Is Out There (And It Stars Himesh Patel)

The chatter among those in the know pins Patel as a central figure in the reboot of The X-Files. This isn’t just any reboot, mind you. It’s being shepherded by Ryan Coogler, the man behind Black Panther and Creed. When Coogler picks up the phone, you answer. And if the whispers are accurate, he’s been having some very interesting conversations about the new dynamic of Mulder and Scully.

Word has it that Gillian Anderson herself has been playfully tight-lipped, recently letting slip that she’s had a look at the scripts. She’s kept her cards close to her chest, but those who’ve heard her speak say the excitement was palpable. For those of us who remember huddling around the telly on a Friday night, scared stiff of the theme tune, the idea of a fresh take from Coogler is thrilling. But to then cast someone like Himesh Patel into the mix? That’s a statement of intent.

• The Everyman Appeal: Like David Duchovny before him, Patel has that rare ability to be both the grounded everyman and a magnetic presence. He made us believe a struggling musician could accidentally become the world’s greatest songwriter. Believing he could chase monsters in the dark? That’s not a stretch.
• The Emotional Depth: The best X-Files episodes weren’t just about the paranormal; they were about the people chasing it. Patel’s performance in Yesterday was a masterclass in quiet longing and emotional honesty. That’s exactly the kind of weight this franchise needs.
• A New Era: Coogler isn’t interested in a nostalgia trip. He’s building something for today. Patel represents that perfectly—a British talent with global recognition who can bridge the gap between the iconic past and an exciting, unknown future.

It’s a fascinating career arc. One minute you’re crooning ‘The Long and Winding Road’ on a global stage, the next you’re potentially stepping into one of the most iconic sci-fi franchises ever created. It speaks volumes about Patel’s range, and even more about how the industry now views him. He’s no longer the guy from that Beatles film; he’s the actor that top-tier directors like Coogler are building their next blockbuster around.

For British audiences, there’s a particular pride in watching this unfold. We’ve seen him in the soap operas, we cheered him on in the cinema, and now we’re about to see him potentially go up against the shadowy syndicate. Whether he ends up playing a sceptical agent, a mysterious informant, or something altogether otherworldly, one thing is certain: Himesh Patel is about to become a household name for an entirely new generation. And honestly? I can’t wait to see what that theme tune sounds like with him in the opening credits.