Positioned beneath the bob of red hair, the sparkling blues eyes and the aquiline nose, it shines, the Smile. Yes, Gillian Anderson, 29, who plays dour Dana Scully on TV''s "The X-Files'''' can flash her pearly whites at the drop of a hat. That said, she''s more Scully-ish than David Duchovny is Mulder-ish. Clad in a long black skirt and brown silk top, the actress sat down for some quick questions about the series that made her an overnight star.

Amy Longsdorf: What''s the most surprising thing an "X-Files'''' fan has ever said to you?

Gillian Anderson: What I''m most wonderfully surprised by is how much of an inspiration Scully is for women of all ages. I''m constantly approached by women who say that she''s a wonderful role model and that she''s helped them through difficult times. I''ve had people tell me that they''ve been in the doctor''s office waiting to hear if their tumor is benign or malignant and they''ve thought of Scully and she''s helped them through it. That''s miraculous to me.

AL: No run-ins with the really fanatical "X-Files'''' fans?

GA: Not really. There are fans who go on the Internet after each show and pick the episode apart in incredible detail. I''ve read discussions about the significance of Scully wearing her cross [necklace] backwards or forwards. I''m not judging them at all. People have fun doing that. But it doesn''t have anything to do with the work I''m doing as an actress.

AL: Why do you think so many men find Scully so sexy?

GA: I can''t explain that. I don''t understand that at all. I remember when somebody remarked to me that Scully was sexy and my response was, "What?" Maybe its the whole thing about a librarian-letting-her-hair-down thing. I like to think it''s because she has a balance of strength, sensitivity and intelligence. But I think I''m being a little optimistic there.

AL: Do you think there''s an audience for the movie beyond "X-Files'''' fans?

GA: Absolutely. The movie is an adventure. It''s a huge exciting experience. I think people who''ve never experienced Mulder and Scully before will still enjoy the relationship between them. I think its rare in an action movie for you to care so much about two characters.

AL: Should Mulder and Scully ever become romantically involved?

GA: No. It would ruin the show. When would we kiss? We can''t fly around the corner, and just before we''re going to shoot an alien, smooch.

AL: Gillian, in your expert opinion, is Scully in love with Mulder?

GA: In love with him? [Laughter] Do I think she''s in love with him? [More laughter] I think she has a great deal of love for him. I think she has respect for him. She''s aware of their heightened chemistry and the tension of their interactions.

AL: How much input are you allowed to have in shaping Scully?

GA: Well, I can speak as much as I want. It''s just a matter of how much is heard. I don''t generally interfere much with [series creator] Chris Carter. I rarely say, ''Scully wouldn''t do this.'' I dabble less in the plots than David does. He has hours in his trailer. I have my daughter [Piper, age 3]. And she''s what I think about most.

AL: Do you ever get tired of ``The X-Files'''' like David does?

GA: I never tire of Scully. I get tired of the scenarios of the show if they feel like I''ve done them before. More than anything, I''m in a state of gratitude to be where I am. cw