'The X-Files' New Images Tease Return of Cigarette Smoking Man (Photos)

Mulder and Scully are joined by some familiar faces in new images released from Fox’s revival of “The X-Files.”

The series follows FBI special agents Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Mulder (David Duchovny) as they investigate unexplained cases — dubbed “X-Files” — for which the only answers seem to involve paranormal phenomena.

Two of the most important supporting players during the show’s original run — FBI director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) and the mysterious Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis) — are featured alongside the former agents in the new images.

Also Read: 9 'X-Files' Episodes That Blew Us Away (Photos)

The new “X-Files” takes place in modern times, and follows Mulder and Scully years after the X-Files program has been shut down, though mysterious and alien events are still occurring.

During its initial nine-season run, “The X Files” became one of the most successful television dramas of all time, hitting a ratings high in 1997 when more than 27 million people tuned in to the Season 5 premiere. The show earned 16 Emmy Awards, five Golden Globes and a Peabody Award.

Also Read: New 'X-Files' Teaser Asks 'Are We Truly Alone?' (Video)

“The X-Files” premieres Sunday, Jan. 24 at 10 p.m. ET on Fox.

11 'X-Files' Villains We'd Love to See on the Limited Series (Photos)

With cult favorite Fox series "The X-Files" returning for a limited run, TheWrap offers a selection of baddies whose resurrection would be welcome.
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Cigarette Smoking Man: A primary antagonist for most the series, this chain smoker frequently stymied Mulder and Scully's X-Files investigations
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The Peacock Family: A family of inbred cannibals, two members eventually escaped Mulder and Scully and are still on the loose
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Chinga: This homicidal doll terrorized a small Maine town before Scully destroyed it. Or so she thought ...
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Alien Bounty Hunter: Also called "The Colonists," this shape-shifting alien race killed anyone who interfered with their plan to covertly control Earth
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The Black Oil: This alien virus was developed by the Colonists as a means to enslave the human race
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The Syndicate: A "shadow government" formed within the U.S. State Department and CIA, the group worked with the Colonists to ensure a "peaceful" takeover of Earth
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The A.I.: Seen in the episode "Kill Switch," this rogue artificial intelligence was capable of tracking and killing anyone via satellite
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The Fungus: In "Field Trip," Mulder and Scully fall victim to a hallucinogenic fungus that slowly consumes its victims
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Phyllis Paddock: A demon in the form of a substitute teacher, she killed several students and a PTA member after students summoned her with a séance in the woods near their school
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Beggar Man: This diminutive Indian mystic was capable of hiding inside his victims' stomachs and using them as a host before killing them
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Cecil L'Ively: This pyrokinetic murderer killed several British dignitaries before making his way across the pond to face off against Mulder and Scully
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