From the big screen (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) to the small (X-Files, Fuller House) revivals are enjoying their day in the sun. The latest news today is on the casting of some big names for the Twin Peaks revival, planned for Showtime’s 2017 schedule. Naomi Watts and (reportedly) Tom Sizemore have signed on, while original series creator David Lynch is rumored to reprise his role as a regional FBI official.
Kyle McLaughlin (Sex and the City) and Sheryl Lee (Dirty Sexy Money) are original cast members officially signed on for the run of the new show; Sherilynn Fenn (Ray Donovan) is also listed for one episode on the series IMdB. Laura Dern, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Amanda Seyfried will be joining the cast along with Balthazar Getty (Brothers and Sister), who is headlining as an unnamed FBI agent.
This teaser will leave you completely unsatisfied, but it’s all they’ve given us so far:
The original Twin Peaks aired for only two seasons in the early 90s but sparked a groundswell of interest in complex television content. The moody mystery drama focused on the search for the killer of homecoming queen Laura Palmer, until the story blossomed into a twisty tale of betrayal and bizarre side characters. Originally aired against the hugely popular Cheers, the show built a small but dedicated fan base and massive critical acclaim, earning fourteen Emmy nominations for the first season. It has since become a cult classic, paving the mystery content from Lost (ABC) to Eureka (Syfy). Happy Town and Wayward Pines were both compared to Peaks in style and tone, but nothing have quite measured up to its delightful weirdness.
Creators David Lynch and Mark Frost wrote the series together, pulling from Frost’s experience with complex, multi-arc storylines on Hill Street Blues. Lynch was knows at the time for his Oscar winning film The Elephant Man, and surrealist productions like Eraserhead and Blue Velvet. He is well-known for casting actors he considers muses and has worked with actors like MacLachlan, Dern, Justin Theroux, and Harry Dean Stanton repeatedly. The new Twin Peaks will mark his fourth project with Naomi Watts.
The X-Files continuation series premiered in January to strong support from fans. The most recent episode appears to be chock-full of the kind of easter eggs that provide a strong connection for longtime fans without burdening the plot for new viewers. Those same throwback elements are what made so many find overall satisfaction with the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens, despite acknowledgement that the plot was derivative. Never underestimate the power of nostalgia in entertainment.
The original two seasons of Twin Peaks are streaming on Netflix, catch up now so you have time to digest the glorious oddity of small town America.