‘Twin Peaks’ fans celebrate 35 years since show debuted: “It honestly changed television forever”
Fans of David Lynch’s Twin Peaks have been celebrating on the 35th anniversary of the show’s original debut.
The legendarily mysterious and surreal show is seen as one of the purest distillations of Lynch’s unique vision, and the pilot episode, colloquially known as Northwest Passage, premiered on ABC on April 8, 1990.
The episode introduced FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan), who is investigating the death of popular high school student Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), a crime he believes is connected to a murder case from a year earlier.
The anniversary of the pilot is particularly poignant, arriving just months after Lynch passed away at his daughter’s home in Los Angeles after having been evacuated during the city’s devastating wildfires. He was 78 years old.
Fans of the show have been taking to social media to share in their memories and to celebrate all things Twin Peaks. “It honestly changed television forever,” wrote one X user. “We are all still trying to catch up!”
happy 35 years to the twin peaks pilot. it honestly changed television forever. we are all still trying to catch up! pic.twitter.com/PAuz6r0dJ3
— george griffiths (@georgegriffiths) April 8, 2025
See other celebrations of Twin Peaks’ 35th birthday below.
Happy 35th Birthday Twin Peaks.
Who knew how much you would change the world and people’s lives.
Thank you David Lynch, Mark Frost and all the cast and crew for this beautiful show
#twinpeaks pic.twitter.com/yUxfK1GutP
— TPUK Events (formerly Twin Peaks UK Festival) (@TPUKEvents) April 8, 2025
35 years ago, Twin Peaks changed the world of cinema and television forever.
David Lynch and Mark Frost gave us an all-time masterpiece that continues to amaze me every year I rewatch it. It made me fall in love with filmmaking and turned it into the greatest passion of my life. pic.twitter.com/7kFgfsv4Kx
— TheMovieKnight (@mvknght) April 8, 2025
35 years ago today, Twin Peaks entered our hearts—and our dreams. pic.twitter.com/vqYNzFtS3z
— Welcome to Twin Peaks (@ThatsOurWaldo) April 8, 2025
On April 8, 1990, the first episode of TWIN PEAKS, "Pilot / Northwest Passage", was premiered. 35 years ago everything began to happen. pic.twitter.com/TqwKxgSuML
— Black Lodge Cult (@BlackLCult) April 8, 2025
April 8, 1990 | David Lynch’s ‘TWIN PEAKS’ premieres on ABC.
35 years ago today, network TV changed forever. Surreal, bold, and unforgettable, the 96-minute pilot remains a masterpiece worthy of looping endlessly at MoMA. pic.twitter.com/Mxu2lA7Zzf
— A Shot. (@ashotmagazine) April 8, 2025
Had a listen back to this ace ‘Twin Peaks at 35’ show from last night on @BBC6Music – it was an honour to be asked to contribute.
Enjoy! https://t.co/ImTB6KSN5v pic.twitter.com/Ew3J8JQdde
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) April 7, 2025
On this day, 35 years ago, the Twin Peaks pilot premiered on ABC, bringing David Lynch and his unique storytelling into millions of households and changing television forever.
#twinpeaks pic.twitter.com/zHDI0zeX0u
— Maybe: Chris (@cmindnich) April 8, 2025
Thirty five years ago today we were graced with the premier of Twin Peaks on ABC. David Lynch left a legacy that echoed then & continues long after both he & Laura Palmer left their scenes. #TwinPeaks pic.twitter.com/j3cg3ycvO4
— Jennifer Stavros
(@Scandalous) April 8, 2025
And a very good morning to all you Blue Rose agents out there. Twin Peaks aired it's pilot episode on this day 35 years ago. Be sure to have a damn fine cup of coffee and a damn fine slice of cherry pie today!#MutantFam#TwinPeaks pic.twitter.com/TVM9qhPirp
— John (@Fadingarcader) April 8, 2025
In February, the complete Twin Peaks box set, Z To A, was re-released. Originally released on Blu-ray in 2019, it was limited to just 25,000 copies worldwide, and contained all three seasons of the show, including the 2017 reboot Twin Peaks: The Return, as well as the 1992 film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.
It also featured 27 hours of bonus features from across all three seasons, consisting of cast and crew interviews, documentaries, deleted scenes and more.
This new re-release is an updated version of the classic collection, with new packaging, plus all of the episodes in high definition, and 4K transfers of the original series pilot and Part 8 of the limited event series.
After Lynch’s death, the Belfry of Bruges paid tribute by playing the legendary Twin Peaks theme, composed by Angelo Badalamenti, on its bell tower.
The director’s grave has also been revealed, including a characteristically mysterious epitaph that reads: “Night Blooming Jasmine”.
The post ‘Twin Peaks’ fans celebrate 35 years since show debuted: “It honestly changed television forever” appeared first on NME.
Max Pilley
NME
