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Gillian Anderson’s transformation over the years: From The X-Files to Sex Education

All hail Gillian!
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Is there anyone out there who doesn’t have a crush on Gillian Anderson?

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The 51-year-old first burst onto our screens as the inimitable Dana Scully on The X-Files, and has since gone onto enjoy an incredible decades-long career.

Now a whole new generation is being introduced to Anderson, thanks to her hilarious and poignant performance on Netflix’s smash-hit TV series Sex Education, which is about to kick off its second season on January 17.

She plays Jean, the mother of the awkward teen lead Otis and a sex therapist who is unabashedly forthright in her discussions about sex and relationships.

Jean’s whip-smart one liners, her chic jumpsuits and decidedly feminist attitude towards casual sex have earned her legions of fans around the world.

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And we just have to say it – Anderson looks absolutely stunning and completely ageless in this series. Can you believe she is 51?

So we thought we’d take a journey back through the past 30 years, to the start of Anderson’s career and remind you (and ourselves) just how much her look has evolved.

From her iconic red bob in The X-Files, to the platinum pixie cut she sports now, keep on scrolling for 20 photos of Gillian Anderson over the years.

READ NEXT: Why Gillian Anderson in Netflix’s Sex Education is the female hero we need right now

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1

Rocking that classic 90s look! A velvet shirt, choker necklace, black bra and a backpack.

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2

Gillian on the red carpet in 1995, sporting a look that was super popular at the time – the slip dress with matching scarf draped around the neck.

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3

In one of the earliest promo shoots for The X-Files, showcasing Scully’s bright red bob.

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4

The X-Files co-stars Gillian Anderson and Dave Duchovny at the 1996 Emmy Awards.

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5

Gillian pictured in 1996. How stunning does she look?

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6

Gillian was a big fan of this lewk in the 90s = big hair, a choker and a slip dress.

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7

Dave and Gillian in character on The X-Files.

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Official Trailer for Netflix show Sex Education with Gillian Anderson

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8

Years later, the pair reunited for a reboot season. How much they’ve grown up!

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9

Gillian’s character Scully still sported her classic red hair, but this time in a longer lob.

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10

Gillian grew out her hair and went blonde in 2010.

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12

Working the red carpet in 2010.

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11

Pictured in 2013.

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13

Gillian was all smiles in 2018, at age 49, as she accepted her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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14

So chic! Wearing a classic LBD in 2018, with her signature dark reading glasses.

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17

Gillian and her Sex Education co-star Asa Butterfield, who plays her son Otis on the show, during media commitments in 2018.

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18

Gillian has aged incredibly well over the years. She’s pictured here on the red carpet in 2019.

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19

She looks radiant and youthful in character as Jean on Sex Education.

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20

Gillian went shorter again in 2020, to mark the start of a new decade!

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21

Pictured at the start of 2020, proving once again that 90s slip dresses are back in fashion!

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