Most major X-Files characters returned for the two recent revival seasons on FOX, but Robert Patrick's John Doggett was mysteriously absent. In hindsight, many fans would argue that The X-Files never should've been resurrected. When the revival was first announced, lots of excitement and joy abounded, but unfortunately, the final product often left much to be desired. That's not to say that seasons 10 and 11 didn't produce a few great episodes, but for the most part, the old X-Files magic seemed to be in short supply.
Of course, that doesn't mean creator Chris Carter, his team of writers, and The X-Files' returning stars didn't try their best to create a worthwhile revival. Cast like David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, William B. Davis and Mitch Pileggi easily slipped back into their old roles and character dynamics, but things just never really felt the same. Still, it was nice to see them share the screen together once again, even if the stories they found themselves a part of this time were often lacking.
In addition to Mulder, Scully, CSM, and Skinner, Annabeth Gish also returned as Special Agent Monica Reyes, who was introduced in season 8, following Mulder's exit as a series regular. Considering her return, it felt a bit odd that her friend and partner John Doggett didn't also make an appearance in the revival. Here's why he didn't.
X-Files: Why Robert Patrick's Doggett Didn't Return for the Revival
It turns out that Chris Carter did want Robert Patrick to return as Doggett for The X-Files' revival run, at least to an extent. In fall 2015, after season 10 had been shot but before it aired, Patrick stated publicly that he hadn't been officially asked to be part of the six-episode season, although producers had inquired about his possible availability. Either way, he said he wasn't really keen on reprising Doggett, as the actor was still a bit sore about The X-Files getting canceled after he had committed to the role for a five-year run.
By 2017, Patrick had changed his tune, saying he would be open to returning for The X-Files season 11 if an offer was made and he felt it was the right move for him to make. To that end, Carter wrote Doggett into an early season 11 episode, but was then forced to write him out after Patrick's commitments to the CBS series Scorpion prevented him from being available to participate. In fall 2017, partway through season 11's production, both Carter and Patrick expressed hopes that Doggett would make his return in a later episode, but that obviously never happened, presumably still due to Scorpion. If that's the case, it's a sad state of affairs for Doggett fans, as Scorpion was canceled after four seasons only a couple months after season 11 ended. Sometimes the timing just doesn't work out.