Main content

Twin Peaks

Writer and broadcaster Danny Leigh goes for a walk in the woods to explain why Twin Peaks is one of the most influential and innovative programmes in television history.

Twin Peaks is one of the most influential and innovative programmes in television history - writer and broadcaster Danny Leigh goes for a walk in the woods to explain why.

Before The Killing, True Detective and The X Files, there was Twin Peaks. The programme made its debut in America in the spring of 1990. By the time it arrived in the UK six months later, millions of people in Britain too were asking 'Who killed Laura Palmer?

At first glance Twin Peaks simply looked to be a quirky murder mystery. But it soon revealed itself to be much, much more. Its creators David Lynch and Mark Frost brought the experimental edge of art house cinema into the living room, and though the series ran for only 15 months, its 30 episodes changed the television landscape and popular culture forever.

It's been 25 years since we first entered the 'cherry pie' logging town and met Agent Dale Cooper, the Log Lady, and the terrifying Bob. To mark the anniversary Danny will have 'water-cooler moments' with Lynch-inspired director Richard Ayoade and crime writer Denise Mina. We'll pay homage to the soundtrack that influenced musicians from the 90s to today with DJ Rob da Bank. Andy Burns, author of Twin Peaks history Wrapped in Plastic, explains how the programme still ripples through popular culture today. And Dr Kirsty Fairclough-Isaacs, senior lecturer in media and performance at Salford University, gives us a lesson on how Twin Peaks transformed television. But in 2015 as in 1990, the owls may not be what they seem...

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Wed 6 May 2015 23:30

Music Played

  • Angelo Badalamenti

    Mysteries of Love

    Composer: David Lynch.
    • Colosseum Music Entertainment.
  • Angelo Badalamenti

    Twin Peaks Theme

    • Warner Bros.
  • Moby

    Go

    Performer: Moby.
    • Mute.
  • Franz Waxman

    Peyton Place

    • Varese.
  • Paul Rich

    Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats

    Orchestra: Lou Preager & His Orchestra.
    • Hallmark.
  • Angelo Badalamenti

    Laura Palmer鈥檚 Theme

    • Warner Bros.
  • Chris Isaak

    Wicked Games

    • Reprise.
  • Nirvana

    In Bloom

    • DGC.
  • Oneohtrix Point Never

    Explain

    • Essential Music.
  • Lana Del Rey

    Video Games

    • Interscope.
  • Mark Snow

    The X Files

    • Warner Music.
  • Angelo Badalamenti

    Jitterbug

    • Sony Music Entertainment.
  • Angelo Badalamenti

    The Dance of the Dream Man

    • Warner Bros.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 6 Apr 2015 16:00
  • Wed 6 May 2015 23:30

Twin Peaks Trailer

Travel to Twin Peaks and discover how it changed the television landscape forever.

Twin Peaks Family Tree

From the X-Files to Sesame Street - trace the influence of Twin Peaks.