After years of waiting, Showtime’s highly-anticipated third season of Twin Peaks finally has a release date: Sunday, May 21st.
The network’s president David Nevins announced the news at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, confirming that David Lynch and Mark Frost’s cult classic series will return for a two-hour season premiere that kicks off 18 episodes total. Immediately following the premiere, episode three and four will be available via Showtime’s streaming and on-demand platforms.
“We’ve seen the whole thing,” Nevins admitted. “David Lynch is one of the great film masters of my lifetime. I think this is the pure heroin version of David Lynch and I’m excited to put it out.”
“The thing about Twin Peaks, and this new version of Twin Peaks, is it rewards close watching,” Nevins added. “It was original social media discussion show before the tools of fan engagement really existed. That’s one reason why David is so particular about secrecy. It will really reward close watching and putting things together over time.”
Nevins also confirmed the season has been “designed to be a close-ended one-time event,” which went hand-in-hand with Lynch’s own words. The legendary auteur made a surprise appearance and although he kept things vague, he offered his words of wisdom on the forthcoming reboot.
“I see it as a film and a film in parts is what people will experience,” Lynch explained. “It was a joyful experience. This word ‘expect’ is a magical word. People expect things, and their expectations are hopefully met when they see the thing.
“I love this world of Twin Peaks,” he added. “I often thought about what might be happening. It was Mark who contacted me, many years ago now, and asked if I wanted to go back into that world. We met at Musso & Frank and talked. And that’s what got us going again for this one.”
If that weren’t enough, Special Agent Dale Cooper himself Kyle MacLachlan also made an appearance — in addition to co-stars Mädchen Amick, Kimmy Robertson, Laura Dern, and Robert Forster — and praised the season, saying: “It was a recognition and a huge sense of gratitude to be there creating something we love and working with a master like David Lynch. He was always up and cheerful and smiling. So we were.”
As expected, most of the cast was pretty tight-lipped about the series, though you can watch their exclusive interviews now below via Twin Peaks’ official Facebook page. If anything, MacLachlan, Amick, Robertson, Dern, and Forster are all easy on the eyes and ears, especially Forster.
Last week, a report suggested the series would bow on Sunday, April 30th after a Showtime promotional calendar circulated amongst cable providers. While the date was wrong, it was correct to have Twin Peaks preside over the month of may.
As previously reported, some 217 (!) actors are set to appear. Many will be reprising their original roles, including MacLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn (Audrey Horne), David Patrick Kelly (Jerry Horne), Richard Beymer (Ben Horne), Miguel Ferrer (FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield), Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer), Dana Ashbrook (Bobby Briggs), Michael Horse (Deputy Hawk), Robertson (Lucy Moran), Amick (Shelly Johnson), Log Lady (Catherine Coulson), Denise Bryson (David Duchovny), Gordon Cole (Lynch), Ray Wise (Leland Palmer), and Russ Tamblyn (Dr. Larence Jacoby).
A number of others will be visiting Twin Peaks for the first time, namely musicians Trent Reznor, Eddie Vedder, Sky Ferreira, Ruth Radelet, and Sharon Van Etten, as well as A-list actors like Dern, Forster, Amanda Seyfried, Ashley Judd, Naomi Watts, Michael Cera, Monica Bellucci, and Tim Roth.
In the meantime, revisit our recent dissection of Lynch’s entire filmography, our friendly Lynchian discussion with the likes of St. Vincent, Rhye, and Blondie’s Chris Stein and Debbie Harry, and our complete coverage of his two-day festival.
Or, you know, eat a donut or something…
