Agent Dana Scully went into the FBI after training as a doctor of medicine. She comes from a naval family, and was devoted to her father (who nickamed her 'Starbuck'). She was initially assigned to the X Files in order to spy on Mulder, but gradually drew closer to him as she realised the importance of his work.

Scully has followed Mulder through thick and thin, albeit with never wavering scepticism.

Her work with Mulder has come at great personal cost. She briefly had a pet dog Queequeg, until it was eaten by an alligator. After her abduction by the conspiracy, Scully discovered she had contracted cancer and couldn't have children. Her sister was accidentally assasinated by the conspiracy, and her relationship with her brothers is frosty.