In the final episode of the second season of Twin Peaks, which aired on June 10, 1991, Laura Palmer tells Agent Dale Cooper in a vision: "I'll see you again in 25 years." Over the following 25 years, Twin Peaks became a cult classic—one that changed the scope of television as we know it. And meanwhile, there was always the lingering question: "Will Twin Peaks return?"
Creators David Lynch and Mark Frost seriously began entertaining the idea of bringing back their beloved series in August 2012 as that 25-year mark approached. After closing a deal with Showtime and writing a 400-page script, the project hit a road block when Lynch couldn't get the budget; he tweeted in April 2015, "after 1 year and 4 months of negotiations, I left because not enough money was offered to do the script the way I felt it needed to be done."
But there's no Twin Peaks without Lynch. After the cast pleaded with him to return, Showtime agreed on 18 episodes, and the project resumed. And after all that time, it's finally returning with Lynch at the helm of every episode. But details have been scarce. Showtime will not release any episodes in advance to critics and has not shared a plot synopsis. Everything we know is gathered from casting decisions, agonizingly vague trailers, and occasional hints dropped by its creators.
Who's Going to Be in it?
The core group of Kyle MacLachlan (Agent Cooper), Madchen Amick (Shelly Johnson), Sherilyn Fenn (Audrey Horne), and Ray Wise (Leland Palmer) are all returning for the new season. Sheryl Lee will also return as Laura Palmer, the girl whose murder was the focus of the entire series (she also played Laura's cousin, Maddy Ferguson, who was also murdered). While Shelly and Cooper remain relatively OK when the second season ends, Leland dies in his cell as the demon Bob leaves his body. Audrey's fate is left ambiguous after an explosion. Meanwhile, Catherine Coulson (Log Lady) and Miguel Ferrer (Albert Rosenfield) filmed scenes before they died. Along with the original cast members, a number of frequent Lynch collaborators will be making appearances in the new season. Laura Dern, Ashley Judd, Tim Roth, Naomi Watts, Michael Cera, Jim Belushi, Ashley Judd, Jennifer Jason Lee, Amanda Seyfriend, and Robert Forster will all appear among the 200 characters in the new season.
In a new feature on Variety, Showtime CEO David Nevins let slip that Lynch will reprise his role as Gordon Cole, the FBI Regional Bureau Chief who had trouble hearing. According to Nevins, Lynch's character is "pretty prominent."
MacLachlan was the only actor to be given the entire script. Everyone else only received their specific scenes.
Who's Not Going to Be in it?
Some of the key cast members will also not be returning, including Lara Flynn Boyle as Donna, Piper Laurie as Catherine Martell, Joan Chen as Josie Packard, Michael J. Anderson as The Man From Another Place, and Chris Mulkey as Norma's husband Hank. Heather Graham will not return as (How's) Annie.
What Is it Going to Be About?
The short answer is: We have no idea. But there have been a few important clues shared along the way. In first revealing the show, Nevins pointed out that it will require close viewing. "It was the original social media show, the original discussion show, before any of the tools of fan engagement and social media really existed," Nevins said in January. "That's one of the reasons why David is so particular about secrecy—it will really reward attention to detail." This means that Fire Walk With Me, Lynch's 1992 film that served as the series' prequel, is key to the new story. As Lynch said around the same time: "It's the story of Laura Palmer's last seven days, and it's very much important for this."
We know it will return to the Lynchian theme of exploring the darkness beneath old-fashioned American values, which will be particularly interesting in the Trump era. "[Lynch] has certain ideas about the ideal of America. Not to relate it too much to the present, but he has certain ideas about Midwestern American wholesomeness," Nevins told Variety. "But I think he's also incredibly aware of the flip side of it. I think David Lynch is a really relevant voice: What does it mean when we say, 'Make America great again?'"
Where Will it Take Place?
From trailers, we've seen the show return to some of its original settings, including the Double R Diner, the Bang Bang Bar, and the sheriff's station in the small logging community of Twin Peaks, Washington. This new season returned to Snoqualmie, Washington, to film these scenes from the original storylines, but, as Variety points out, a bulk of the new season was shot in Southern California. Though it doesn't go outside of the U.S., the new season expands outside of the Pacific Northwest, with stories that take place in different parts of the U.S. and eventually converge.
Beyond that, we know the coffee and donuts will be plentiful—and the best damn cherry pie you've ever eaten.
