Sorry ‘Twin Peaks’ Fans, You’ll Be Waiting A Little Longer For The Series Return

Fans of the cult classic television series Twin Peaks may want to hold off on their excitement over the Peaks revival. According to CNN, though Showtime had previously indicated a goal air date for 2016, Les Moonves, the CEO for Showtime’s parent company CBS, confirmed that the air date for any new Twin Peaks episodes was going to be pushed to 2017.

Twin Peaks originally aired on ABC for two seasons from 1990-1991. The premise of Peaks began with a murder investigation of ‘Laura Palmer,’ a homecoming queen in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington. But, after the character of FBI agent Dale Cooper solved that murder part way through Season 2, the show’s ratings began to decline significantly. Despite 14 Emmy nominations for Peaks‘ inaugural season, ABC pulled the plug.

While some blame ABC for Peaks‘ ratings decline due to the constant schedule shifting of Twin Peaks‘ time slot, series co-creator David Lynch apparently felt that it was ABC’s insistence that writers solve the Laura Palmer case that lead to the show’s demise. Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost revealed in a 2010 interview that his television partner may have had a point:

“David was adamant that we shouldn’t,” Frost told the LA Times regarding the infamous Twin Peaks ‘Who killed Laura Palmer?’ mystery. “The network was adamant that we should. I had to kind of forge a compromise. I’m not sure that David wasn’t right. Maybe we shouldn’t have solved the mystery. Let it drift on into the background and churn up more incidents as you went forward.”

The series was followed up by a feature film in 1992, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, but it couldn’t seem to gain any steam for rejuvenation over the past two decades. Then in October 2014, Twin Peaks fans rejoiced over the announcement that Showtime would be picking Peaks up for a third season. Even more satisfying, original Twin Peaks creators David Lynch and Mark Frost would be on board. But since that announcement, the wait for Season 3 has been a bit of a roller coaster ride.

Lynch announced his departure from the project and then just a short while later, his return. Resident ‘Log Lady’ actress Catherine Coulson passed away in September, and while leaks from the set regarding plot lines, casting, and filming locations energized Twin Peaks fans on social media, they only seemed to ire the creators resulting in a finger shaking Tweet from Mark Frost.

All will be revealed in due time. In the meantime, thanks to all for helping us #KeepTheMysteryAlive!!

— Mark Frost (@mfrost11) September 12, 2015

And now, Twin Peaks fans must contend with a delayed air date, leaving them to wonder if there is more trouble on the horizon. Fear not, Peaks fans. Kyle MacLachlan aka Agent Cooper says production is underway and all is going well.

“I was up there the other day filming and it was a beautiful experience,” MacLachlan stated about filming on location in the Twin Peaks state of Washington. “[It’s] so much fun to work with David Lynch again, it’s been a long time.”

So what is the reason behind the delay? According to MSN, Showtime Networks President David Nevins had anticipated a 2017 start date all along. Nevins revealed though he was hoping for the show to begin airing in 2016, he knew production for Twin Peaks wouldn’t start until September of 2015. As a result, Nevins didn’t want Peaks‘ creator Lynch to feel “pressured.’ Lynch reportedly has complete creative control over Season 3 meaning, for Twin Peaks fans, the delay may signal a good thing.

After all, as the old saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait.” And by that logic, by the time Season 3 airs, Twin Peaks fans should expect great things.

[Cover image courtesy of Twin Peaks Official Facebook.]