David Duchovny has opened up about embracing a darker side of acting — describing his role in the new Amazon Video thriller Malice as “fun” because it lets him play someone very different from himself.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Duchovny spoke candidly about taking on the character of Jamie Tanner, a wealthy patriarch whose life spirals into chaos when a manipulative nanny infiltrates his family. 

The actor said the character’s arrogance, power, and past actions challenged him — and that wrestling with such a morally ambiguous role was part of the thrill.

“It's almost like playing a monster, and it's fun to play a monster,” he said — adding that while the role demands embracing the character’s darker impulses, Jamie “doesn't think of himself as a monster,” and Duchovny doesn’t want to either.

Malice, created by British writer James Wood, dropped on Amazon Video on November 14, 2025, and features Duchovny alongside Jack Whitehall and Carice van Houten. 

The six-episode psychological thriller tracks how Jamie Tanner’s seemingly controlled life begins to unravel after the arrival of a dangerously charming “manny.”

For Duchovny — perhaps best known for earlier roles in shows like The X-Files and Californication — the shift toward playing a morally compromised lead feels like a welcome challenge. “I had not played a guy like that,” he admitted. 

The contrast between Jamie’s outward success and inner turmoil gives Duchovny “that tingle” of a role worth taking.