Gillian Anderson has spoken candidly about her sexuality, detailing a "secretive" teenage relationship with an older girl and referring to "The Crown" creator Peter Morgan as her "life partner."

In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Anderson, 58, reflected on her past. She recalled one of her first relationships in high school, describing it as "secretive and illicit and wrong," and noting that they "had to hide." This relationship ended when a boyfriend discovered it.

Anderson, who has been open about her past relationships with women and stated that gender is not a factor in her connections, said she didn't identify as gay at the time, partly because she had had boyfriends. She explained that she "didn't have the language for it" and wasn't sure if later relationships with women were "for ever."

Regarding her current personal life, Anderson referred to Peter Morgan, with whom she has had an on-off relationship since 2016, as "the person I consider my life partner happens to be male." While they have been together for years, she has never publicly confirmed their relationship.

Anderson also touched on her past perception of her own sex appeal, recalling being voted "Sexiest Woman in the World" by FHM readers in 1996. She felt this accolade was ironic, as she was experiencing significant self-doubt at the time. As a single mother raising a toddler while working long hours on "The X-Files," she described herself as "shut down, self-protective and detached from my body."

She contrasted that period with her current feelings, stating that three decades later, she feels "sexier than ever," attributing it to "the quiet conviction that we belong exactly where we are."

Anderson is currently promoting her new film, "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma." The film, a queer slasher movie directed by Jane Schoenbrun, received a six-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Anderson plays a reclusive actress, a performance described by Schoenbrun as "funny and strange and a little bit grotesque and a little bit sad," yet also "incredibly sexy and weird."

The film is set for release in cinemas on August 21.