The truth is out there. The FBI special agent who investigated extra-terrestrials in the X-Files is an alien herself… at least in the immigration sense.
But maybe not for long as American actress Gillian Anderson, who played Dana Scully in the cult 1990s TV thriller, could be on her way to be becoming a naturalised British citizen.
The 55-year-old, who has lived in London for more than 20 years, was spotted emerging from a visa office which processes applications for UK citizenship.
And while her representatives remained tight-lipped about the reason for her visit, she has spoken fondly of calling Britain her home.
The office in Mark Lane, in the City of London, is appointment-only and also handles other immigration paperwork, so Ms Anderson could merely have been renewing her residency visa.
Ms Anderson, 55, was spotted leaving a UK visa and citizenship office
Gillian Anderson (pictured playing journalist Emily Maitlis) has lived in London for over 20 years as an American citizen
The renowned actress pictured outside the office on Mark Lane in the City of London
Ms Anderson was wearing a long black jacket and held a black handbag and mobile phone
She could either have been looking to make the UK her home or have just been renewing her residency
But she is in a long-term relationship with British writer Peter Morgan, creator of The Crown, and has made several TV projects here.
As well as her ‘devastatingly precise’ portrayal of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in her partner’s show, she played sex therapist Jean Milburn in Netflix comedy Sex Education and DS Stella Gibson in BBC crime series The Fall, filmed in Northern Ireland.
And she will be seen next month as journalist Emily Maitlis in Netflix’s Scoop, about Prince Andrew’s car-crash Newsnight interview.
Ms Anderson was also awarded an honorary OBE, reserved for foreign citizens, in 2016.
Ms Anderson received an honorary OBE, a medal reserved for foreign citizens, in 2016
The actress (pictured as Dana Scully in The X Files) is in a long-term relationship with British writer Peter Morgan
The Chicago-born actress once said: ‘I’ve been asked whether I feel more like a Brit than an American and I don’t know what the answer to that question is.
‘I know that I feel that London is home and I’m very happy with that as my home. I love London as a city, and I feel very comfortable there. In terms of identity, I’m still a bit baffled.’
Ms Anderson emerged from the visa office alone and hailed a black cab.
She was previously spotted getting her visa renewed in Croydon, South London, eight years ago, but got no special treatment and had to wait four hours to be dealt with.
Ms Anderson lived in the UK as a child and moved back in 2002. She lives with her three children: Piper, 29, Oscar, 17, and Felix, 15.
