Rumors are circulating that Twin Peaks might be coming back for season 4. The magnum opus of David Lynch, Twin Peaks started its run in 1990, before being cancelled after just two seasons. A TV movie, Fire Walk With Me, followed in 1992, before Lynch was finally able to revisit the show and continue its story in 2017 with Showtime's Twin Peaks: The Return.
Building on the cliffhanger ending of the original run, Twin Peaks season 3 was a mesmerizing and oft-bewildering return to the titular town, at once familiar and yet completely different. Over the course of 18 episodes, Lynch led viewers on an unpredictable journey that eventually culminated in what seemed like a true ending for Twin Peaks. Or rather, two true endings. "Part 17" delivered a neat, fan-pleasing conclusion to Twin Peaks, and then Lynch unraveled everything, delivering a more ambiguous climax that took more twists and seemingly undid the very incident that launched the show in the first place: Laura Palmer's death.
Ending on a scream that'll never be forgotten, Twin Peaks season 3's finale suggested an ongoing fate for Cooper and Laura: the latter would always need saving, but the former would always be there to do it. For sure, though, it was very much an ending, and a perfect one for the show, which makes rumors of a fourth season more surprising. Although unsubstantiated right now, speculation has been gathering pace online recently, starting with a tweet from the Hollywood Horror Museum, which read: "Someone we know who is "in the know" just let something Very Interesting slip about the future of TWIN PEAKS If it's true, we'll be squealing and giddy in 2020!" Follow-up tweets from the account went on to provide clarification, including affirming they have good sources and that "the people in charge are preparing for something big in 2020."
Since then, the rumors have only grown, including further reports of Twin Peaks season 4. Actors involved in the series have seemingly got in on the act too. Star Kyle MacLachlan tweeted that he's "thinking about...donuts this morning", which at least feels like a nod to Twin Peaks, while Michael Horse (Deputy Hawk) posted a photo from the series on Instagram, which included a hint at a secret being kept. It's far from concrete, but when it comes to Twin Peaks, it doesn't need too much to spark excitement, especially when fans had to wait over two decades for the show to come back the first time around.
Lynch himself has contributed, sort of. Last month, before these rumors started, he tweeted about how he loved shooting in King County, where Twin Peaks was filmed. The filmmaker has blown hot and cold on the idea of more Twin Peaks over the past couple of years. In 2017, shortly after The Return ended, he said that he's learned to "never say never" about more Twin Peaks. Last year he gave a clearer sign, stating that continuing Twin Peaks' story was "calling" to him. However, he's also said that The Return was the ending. That is true, but it is open enough that Lynch could continue things in a number of ways, perhaps with the story of Richard and Carrie rather than Dale and Laura, and he deserves to be trusted either way.
Twin Peaks: The Return wasn't a major hit for Showtime in terms of ratings, but the network have intimated that they'd be open to more, which puts the ball in Lynch's court. Right now, it's all very mysterious, which is presumably how Lynch wants it. If he is indeed looking to make Twin Peaks season 4, then you'd imagine the cast and Showtime would both say yes, but they're rumors best taken with a pinch of salt and washed down with a damn fine cup of coffee right now. Is it happening again? Maybe.