Lara Flynn Boyle as Donna Hayward Photograph: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images Promotional images turned up two big reveals: Lynch himself back in character as FBI boss Gordon Cole, and the return of David Duchovny as transgender DEA agent Denise Bryson, which will be interesting, given the vast differences in approaches to trans characters on television now, compared to 26 years ago. Other key returnees include Sherilyn Fenn as Audrey Horne, Dana Ashbrook as Bobby Briggs, Madchen Amick as Shelly Johnson, Peggy Lipton as Norma Jennings, and James Marshall as James Hurley. Death does not appear to be an obstacle as Ray Wise is back as Leland Palmer. Sheryl Lee is also back, though whether she will be Laura Palmer or Maddy Ferguson or both remains to be seen. Maclachlan has said that the first draft was 400-500 pages long and took “a few cups of coffee”. Maclachlan, naturally, is back as Cooper, and is thought to be the only cast member who was given the entire script to read – others were only provided with the scripts relevant to their characters. Sherilyn Fenn and Kyle Maclachlan Photograph: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock The key questions, however, are whether Evil Cooper, possessed with the spirit of BOB, has been on the rampage for these past 25 years, and whether that means Good Cooper is stuck in the Black Lodge.
We also know that unlike the original series, there will be scenes which take place outside of Twin Peaks. In January, Lynch said that he never wanted that mystery to be solved.
However, he did reveal that the story of Laura Palmer’s last seven days are “very much important” to the series’ return, so anyone wishing to do their homework may be advised to start by rewatching the film Fire Walk With Me, rather than the second season, which suffered after ABC put pressure on Lynch and Frost to reveal the identity of Laura’s killer. “People expect things and hopefully their expectations are met when they see the thing,” he said. When he appeared at a Television Critics Association panel back in January to discuss the show’s return, Lynch characteristically gave away very little. David Lynch will direct every episode, which he has described as being written and shot as one long movie.