The truth is out there, and Joel McHale wants to help look for it.

Joel McHale, famous for his role as Jeff Winger in the comedy series "Community," is joining the upcoming six-episode revival of the mystery drama "The X-Files." The limited series will star McHale as an unlikely ally of David Duchovny's character, Mulder. Reports from io9 states that McHale will play an anchor of a conservative Internet network that goes by the name Tad O'Malley.

Like Us on Facebook

Aside from David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprising their roles as Mulder and Scully, McHale is the first new actor announced to take part in the six-episode series. Another returning cast is Mitch Pileggi as Walter Skinner.

This marks the return of the mystery thriller to TV after a thirteen-year absence, though the Duchovny and Anderson did pair up once again for a movie in 2008 based on the series entitled "The X-files: I Want to Believe." The Hollywood Reporter tells that the limited series also marks the return of Joel McHale to broadcast TV after his comedy series "Community" was dismissed by NBC. Though it was picked up by Yahoo! for its sixth season, it still unclear if it will return for a seventh.

Helming the production is series creator Chris Carter, and shall be released alongside the FOX coverage of the NFC championship game in early 2016.

Presumably this will be a very serious role for McHale, and given that he is a stand-up comedian and that his filmography seems to direct itself more to comedy, this will be an entirely new environment for him. Deadline reports that the actor did an arc for the FX drama "Sons of Anarchy," and that he has been in the market for a different drama stint. Since the "X-Files" creator was a fan, he presumably obliged.

It is good that actors like Joel McHale who are usually pigeonholed into roles are trying to put a little variety into his portfolio by taking on different roles. Hopefully, this limited series is just the beginning of a very fruitful career outside of comedy.

TagsThe X-Files, Joel McHale, Mulder, Scully, Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny