Twin Peaks 2017: All you need to know

From Digital Spy

Despite a little hiccup, Twin Peaks is coming back to TV - and original co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost are in control.

Below is all the information out there so far, from the returning cast, trailers and what the hell we can expect.

Twin Peaks release date: when will it be back on TV?

"I'll see you again in 25 years," Laura Palmer promised in the Red Room. Coincidence? "When you see it, you'll know," Frost said.

When exactly? 2016 initially seemed likely, with Lynch telling the BBC in December 2014 that the return was "a year and a half" away.

But then Showtime confirmed that the show would debut in the first half of 2017. The exact date was up in the air - but it was later clarified to be "the second quarter" of the year.

And on January 9, 2017, it was finally revealed that Twin Peaks' all-important return date will be Sunday, May 21, with a two-hour premiere. It will also go on Showtime's streaming services on May 21 - along with episodes three and four!

If you're in the UK, you'll need a damn fine cup of coffee if you want to catch the premiere simulcast – that's airing on Sky Atlantic on Monday, May 22 at 2am, and will be repeated on Tuesday, May 23 at 9pm.

As we've said before, don't expect a one-a-week regular telly slot.

"I want to embrace the unusualness of it, and I think it is quite possible we're not going to do a traditional release pattern," Showtime boss David Nevins said.

"I can definitely see longer episodes or the question of how we release it linearly and for those who want to stream it."

Twin Peaks trailer: where can I watch it?

Why, right here:

And there's another one here featuring Peaks co-creator David Lynch as Agent Cooper's boss Gordon Cole. Is that donut a coded message? The cherry pie not what it seems, eh?

We also got our first glimpse at Kyle MacLachlan back in-character as Cooper in a trailer released January 2017, which you can watch here:

And here's a couple more creepy teasers:

In a behind-the-scenes video, the cast reflect on how their characters have changed and how much of David Lynch and Mark Frost's mystical world remains the same all these years later.

Twin Peaks photos - are there any more teasers?

Yep! Entertainment Weekly unveiled a special cover on Instagram:

Plus. new photos from the actual episodes have also dropped, including a sneak peek at David Duchovny reprising his role as DEA Agent Denise Bryson – who was one of the first trans characters on US TV 25 years ago.

Twin Peaks 2017 plot: what the hell is going on?

A fair enough question to ask when watching Twin Peaks, after all. The synopsis in Mark Frost's upcoming The Secret History of Twin Peaks book has given some welcome clues.

"Twenty-five years [after Dale Cooper's investigation of the murder of Laura Palmer], the FBI gets hold of a box it won't divulge the provenance of. In the box, a huge dossier," it reads.

"A female FBI agent is tasked to analyse all the documents inside, and everything related to the strange town of Twin Peaks. She also has to determine the identity of the person who compiled the dossier.

"Along the way, she discovers secrets about the lives of the town's residents, but also investigative reports from Dale Cooper, who has since vanished, newspaper clippings, an autopsy report, and other classified information.

"What happened since the death of the young woman? And why did an anonymous 'archivist' compile such a thorough dossier on Twin Peaks and its origins?"

Twin Peaks cast: who is returning?

"Those who want to see old faces, and those would like to see new faces, none of them will be disappointed," promises Frost. "Hopefully everybody's story will get some attention."

Kyle MacLachlan as Special Agent Dale Cooper

"I'm very excited to return to the strange world of Twin Peaks," Kyle MacLachlan said way back in January 2015. "May the forest be with you." Showtime president David Nevins added that "he'll be leading the show".

After much speculation, the full 217-strong cast list was announced on April 25 and many old faces were confirmed.

Those names (and characters in full – with a note of thanks to Welcome to Twin Peaks for some of those hard-to-find character names):

• Mädchen Amick - Shelly Johnson

• Dana Ashbrook - Bobby Briggs

• Phoebe Augustine - Ronette Pulaski

• Richard Beymer - Ben Horne

• Scott Coffey

• Catherine E Coulson - The Log Lady

• Julee Cruise - Roadhouse Singer

• Jan D'Arcy - Sylvia Horne

• David Duchovny - Denise/Dennis Bryson

• Sherilyn Fenn - Audrey Horne

• Miguel Ferrer - Albert Rosenfield

• Warren Frost - Doctor William Hayward

• Harry Goaz - Deputy Andy Brennan

• Andrea Hays - Heidi

• Gary Hershberger - Mike Nelson

• Michael Horse - Deputy Tommy 'Hawk' Hill

• David Patrick Kelly - Jerry Horne

• Sheryl Lee - Laura Palmer/Maddy Ferguson

• Peggy Lipton - Norma Jennings

• Bellina Martin Logan - Louie 'Birdsong' Budway

• David Lynch - GORDON COLE

• Kyle MacLachlan - Special Agent Dale Cooper

• James Marshall - James Hurley

• Everett McGill - 'Big' Ed Hurley

• Walter Olkewicz - Jacques Renault

• Kimmy Robertson - Lucy Moran

• Wendy Robie - Nadine Hurley

• Marv Rosand - Cook at the Double R Diner

• Carlton Lee Russell - Jumping Man

• Harry Dean Stanton - Carl Rodd

• Charlotte Stewart - Betty Briggs

• Al Strobel - Philip Gerard/ 'Mike' The One-Armed Man

• Carel Struycken - The Giant

• Russ Tamblyn - Dr Lawrence Jacoby

• Ray Wise - Leland Palmer

• Alicia Witt - Gersten Hayward

• Grace Zabriskie - Sarah Palmer

Twin Peaks cast: Which new stars are joining the show?

A mix of big names, top actors, rock 'n' roll superstars, Lynch veterans and friends and family:

• Jay Aaseng

• Alon Aboutboul

• Jane Adams

• Joe Adler

• Kate Alden

• Stephanie Allynne

• Eric Ray Anderson

• Finn Andrews

• Elizabeth Anwies

• Joe Auger

• Melissa Bailey

• Tammie Baird

• Matt Battaglia

• Chrysta Bell

• Monica Bellucci

• Jim Belushi

• Leslie Berger

• John Billingsley

• Michael Bisping

• Ronnie Gene Blevins

• Kelsey Bohlen

• Sean Bolger

• Rachael Bower

• Brent Briscoe

• Robert Broski

• Wes Brown

• Richard Bucher

• Page Burkum

• Scott Cameron

• Juan Carlos Cantu

• Gia Carides

• Vincent Castellanos

• Michael Cera

• Richard Chamberlain

• Bailey Chase

• Johnny Chavez

• Candy Clark

• Larry Clarke

• Frank Collison

• Lisa Coronado

• Grace Victoria Cox

• Jonny Coyne

• James Croak

• Heather D'Angelo

• David Dastmalchian

• Jeremy Davies

• Owain Rhys Davies

• Ana de la Reguera

• Rebekah Del Rio

• Laura Dern

• Neil Dickson

• Hugh Dillon

• Cullen Douglas

• Edward "Ted" Dowlin

• Judith Drake

• Christopher Durbin

• Francesca Eastwood

• Eric Edelstein

• John Ennis

• Josh Fadem

• Tikaeni Faircrest

• Eamon Farren

• Jay R Ferguson

• Sky Ferreira

• Rebecca Field

• Robin Finck

• Brian Finney

• Patrick Fischler

• Erika Forster

• Robert Forster

• Meg Foster

• Travis Frost

• Pierce Gagnon

• Allen Galli

• Hailey Gates

• Brett Gelman

• Ivy George

• Balthazar Getty

• James Giordano

• Grant Goodeve

• George Griffith

• Tad Griffith

• James Grixoni

• Cornelia Guest

• Travis Hammer

• Hank Harris

• Annie Hart

• Stephen Heath

• Heath Hensley

• Ernie Hudson

• Jay Jee

• Jesse Johnson

• Caleb Landry Jones

• Ashley Judd

• Luke Judy

• Stephen Kearin

• Laura Kenny

• Dep Kirkland

• Robert Knepper

• David Koechner

• Virginia Kull

• Nicole LaLiberte

• Jay Larson

• Jennifer Jason Leigh

• Jane Levy

• Matthew Lillard

• Jeremy Lindholm

• Sarah Jean Long

• Riley Lynch

• Shane Lynch

• Mark Mahoney

• Karl Makinen

• Malone

• Xolo Maridueña

• Berenice Marlohe

• Rob Mars

• Elisabeth Maurus

• Josh McDermitt

• Zoe McLane

• Derek Mears

• Clark Middleton

• Greg Mills

• James Morrison

• Christopher Murray

• Don Murray

• Joy Nash

• Priya Diane Niehaus

• Bill O'Dell

• Casey O'Neill

• Johnny Ochsner

• Charity Parenzini

• Elias Nelson Parenzini

• John Paulsen

• Sara Paxton

• Max Perlich

• Linas Phillips

• Tracy Phillips

• John Pirruccello

• Linda Porter

• Jelani Quinn

• Ruth Radelet

• Mary Reber

• Adele René

• Mariqueen Reznor

• Trent Reznor

• Carolyn P. Riggs

• Erik L. Rondell

• Ben Rosenfield

• Tim Roth

• Rod Rowland

• Elena Satine

• John Savage

• Amanda Seyfried

• Amy Shiels

• Sawyer Shipman

• Tom Sizemore

• Sara Sohn

• Malachy Sreenan

• J.R. Starr

• Bob Stephenson

• Emily Stofle

• Ethan Suplee

• Sabrina S. Sutherland

• Jessica Szohr

• Bill Tangradi

• Cynthia Lauren Tewes

• Jodee Thelen

• Jack Torrey

• Sharon Van Etten

• Eddie Vedder

• Greg Vrotsos

• Jake Wardle

• Naomi Watts

• Nafessa Williams

• Karolina Wydra

• Charlyne Yi

• Nae Yuuki

• Christophe Zajac-Denek

• Madeline Zima

• Blake Zingale

Twin Peaks episodes: how many will there be?

When the news was first confirmed, we were told that there would be nine episodes. After the wrangling between Lynch and Showtime, there will now be a Grande helping of Peaks.

Showtime president David Nevins explained: "David will direct the whole thing which will total more than the originally announced nine hours.

"This damn fine cup of coffee from Mark and David tastes more delicious than ever. Totally worth the extra brewing time and the cup is even bigger than we expected."

The exact number of episodes wasn't confirmed officially, but cast members Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer) and Sherilyn Fenn (Audrey Horne) told fans at Crypticon Seattle that we could expect an 18-episode season.

Later on, key cast member Ray Wise also said that there'll be 18 episodes.

However, Showtime finally announced in January 2017 that there will indeed be 18 episodes, when Nevins spoke at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. The season premiere will be two episodes' long.

Could there be Twin Peaks season four?

"We've learned never to say never. Anything is a possibility," Frost teased. "I wouldn't think it will take us 25 years to decide the next time around."

Is David Lynch directing the new Twin Peaks?

Despite that false start, yes he is. The TV show had many guest writers and directors (Diane Keaton even helmed a season two episode), but this is very much a Lynch/Frost production.

"We pledged right then and there that we were going to write it ourselves, and David said he wanted to direct all of them," Frost said. "And we'll produce them together."

Have they finished filming the new Twin Peaks yet?

Pre-production started soon after Lynch and Showtime kissed and made up and shooting started properly in September. In January 2016 it was confirmed that Lynch was "more than halfway through" filming the revival. Shooting was then said to be wrapped in mid-April 2016.

Is the Twin Peaks revival a proper sequel?

"It is not a remake. The story continues. The seeds of where we go were planted where we've been."

Mark Frost will write a book called The Secret Lives of Twin Peaks, bridging the gap between then and now.

"This has long been a dream project of mine that will bring a whole other aspect of the world of Twin Peaks to life, for old fans and new," Frost said.

It'll nestle nicely on our bookshelves between The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer by Jennifer Lynch (David's daughter) and The Autobiography of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper: My Life, My Tapes by Scott Frost (Mark's brother).

Will Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me be part of the new Twin Peaks universe?

Mark Frost was not involved in David Lynch's controversial 1992 prequel/sequel, but he thinks it will be part of the season three universe.

"It's definitely part of the mythology of the show, and it reflects the work that was done before and it will have some bearing on the work as we go forward."

Will Angelo Badalamenti return to do the new Twin Peaks soundtrack?

"Too early to say," said Frost initially. "I'd have to talk to David and see if he feels confident about that."

Sheryl Lee and Sherilyn Fenn confirmed at Crypticon Seattle that Angelo Badalamenti was on board – and it wasn't long before we saw him for ourselves in a teaser video, back behind the keyboard playing 'Laura Palmer's Theme'.

Twin Peaks will of course sound (and look) pristine.

"I've made television before. You build it for that," Lynch told Agenda.

"At the time, it was network television: the sound wasn't good. Now it's not so bad any more... We're gonna do the same things, but in better quality. And film remains the best quality."

Is the Double R Diner coming back to Twin Peaks?

Also at Crypticon Seattle, it was announced that Twede's Cafe in North Bend, WA, will return as the original Double R Diner set.

Pictures on Twitter have confirmed that the old RR has been restored to its former glory.

Do you need to have watched all of the original Twin Peaks?

Frost acknowledges the "passionate and dedicated and committed" Peaks fanbase and expresses his gratitude for them "keeping the flames alive".

"At the same time we hope a whole bunch of people want to come to the party as well," he said.

Given the nature of Twin Peaks, we advise you catch up before 2016. Showtime will repeat seasons one and two in the run-up to the new episodes to help out.

Will Twin Peaks season three have a proper ending?

We at Digital Spy think that Twin Peaks ended perfectly, and for all its flaws, so did Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

But for the rest of you, Mark Frost hopes you'll be left feeling more satisfied. "It's our hope that these episodes will give the fans everything they felt they hadn't gotten the last time we left off."

He added: "I think there will be a lot of things that people have wanted to know over the years that if they pay close attention, they are going to be satisfied."

Lynch too has implied there won't be another cliffhanger climax, with "no plans for anything more" beyond these 18 episodes.

"[But] I said before I wasn't going to revisit it, and I did," he added. "So you never say no."

It would be Twin Peaks without a little ambiguity, we guess...

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