Showtime announced way back in October 2014 that a third season of “Twin Peaks” would arrive on the channel in 2016.
Then last July Mark Frost – who with David Lynch co-created “Twin Peaks” and scripted every episode of the coming season – told journalist Bill Francis that the show was actually airing in 2017.
Then in August Showtime president David Nevins said the series could air in 2016 or 2017.
But on Tuesday Nevins finally admitted we won’t be seeing the new “Peaks” episodes – all directed by Lynch – until the first half of next year.
Nevins also said Lynch, who began production last fall, is "halfway through shooting.”
Still undecided is how many new episodes will emerge after David Lynch completes his work in the editing room. The first “Peaks” season in a quarter century will run at least 10 episodes but rumors indicate it could balloon to as many as 18.
Showtime has thus far confirmed only one cast member for the new season – Kyle MacLachlan, who played FBI special agent Dale Cooper – but less official channels have revealed many others from the series’ two ABC seasons will be back as well.
Reports indicate that David Patrick Kelly will be returning as Audrey Horne’s uncle Jerry and Miguel Ferrer will be back as disdainful FBI special agent Albert Rosenfield. Michael Horse, who played Deputy Tommy “Hawk” Hill during the ABC seasons, recently cut a Showtime promo for the series.
Sherilyn Fenn said last year Lynch told her she’ll be reprising the role of hotel heiress Audrey. Sheryl Lee, who played the late Laura Palmer on the series, has been spotted filming a scene in the Mojave Desert with MacLachlan and franchise newcomer Jennifer Jason Leigh. Harry Dean Stanton is said to reprise his “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” movie role of Carl Rodd, owner of the Fat Trout Trailer Park and the last person to see FBI special agent Chester Desmond (Chris Isaak).
Laura Dern (“Blue Velvet,” “Wild At Heart,” “Inland Empire”), Amanda Seyfried ("A Million Ways To Die In The West," "Ted 2"), Balthazar Getty ("Lost Highway") and Robert Knepper (“Mockingjay”) have all also apparently joined the cast, and reports indicate that David Lynch is pursuing his “Mulholland Drive” star Naomi Watts to join “Peaks” as well.
Sadly, Rosenfield will likely not be reuniting with Twin Peaks sheriff Harry S. Truman, Rosenfield’s usual object of ridicule. Michael Ontkean, who played Truman, apparently declined to participate and word is Robert Forster (“Mulholland Drive”) has been cast as the town’s current sheriff.
Also said to be returning from the ABC series and the New Line movie prequel are Ray Wise (the late Leland Palmer), Madchen Amick (Shelly Johnson), Everett McGill (Big Ed Hurley), Peggy Lipton (Norma Jennings), Richard Beymer (Ben Horne) and Dana Ashbrook (Bobby Briggs).
No word on Lara Flynn Boyle (replaced by Moira Kelly in the 1992 movie), Piper Laurie, Michael Parks, Heather Graham, Robyn Lively, Joan Chen, Kimmy Robertson, Billy Zane, James Marshall, Alicia Witt, Molly Shannon, David Duchovny, David L. Lander, Warren Frost, Harry Goaz, Clarence Williams III, Grace Zabriskie, Russ Tamblyn, Ted Raimi, Julee Cruise, Michael J. Anderson or Carel Struycken. Frank Silva, who played Killer Bob, passed away in 1995. Jack Nance, who played Pete Martell, passed away in 1996. Don S. Davis, who played Major Garland Briggs, passed away in 2008. Catherine Coulson, who played Margaret The Log Lady, passed away last month, apparently before she could participate in the “Peaks” revival. And David Bowie, who played time-lost FBI special agent Phillip Jeffries in “Fire Walk With Me,” passed away on Sunday.
