Mark Frost Explains How 'Mulholland Drive' Originated As A Failed 'Twin Peaks' Spin-Off

Back before “Twin Peaks: The Return” was announced, the idea of another season of co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost’s mystery thriller series was thought to be a longshot. But yet, ‘The Return’ arrived 25 years after ‘Fire Walk With Me’ (the ‘Twin Peaks’ prequel film) and was immediately embraced by fans, and eventually would go on to be considered one of the best pieces of film/TV over the past decade. So, even though the idea of yet another revival of the series seems like a faint possibility today, that obviously doesn’t mean it’s completely out of the question, according to one of the co-creators.

In a new book, “Conversations With Mark Frost,” from author David Bushman (via IndieWire), the discussion of a possible fourth season of “Twin Peaks” doesn’t seem likely. But then again, Frost is far from ready to close the door on the franchise.

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“This is a mousetrap of a question, because you always like to leave hope alive for people who are hoping for more,” Frost said, about a possible new season of ‘Twin Peaks.’ “So I never want to close the door on that entirely. It remains a wonderful, alive creation for people that I hope stays provocative and interesting and open to their various lines of inquiry for a long time to come. As far as I’m concerned, that means the story isn’t over.”

Also discussed in the book is the proposed spin-off of “Twin Peaks” that would have focused on the character of Audrey, played by Sherilyn Fenn. It appears that ABC was interested in a spin-off and Frost and Lynch had the idea of Fenn’s character starring in a modern noir set in Hollywood. They even had a title for it, “Mulholland Drive.” Yes, the 2001 film from Lynch, which starred Naomi Watts, was originally conceived as a “Twin Peaks” spin-off series. In fact, Watts’ character in the film would have been the Audrey character from “Twin Peaks.”

“I lived on Mulholland Drive at the time and I thought it was a great title,” Frost said. “We had considered spinning off the Audrey character and setting her loose in Hollywood, in a modern noir. We had very preliminary talks; it drifted away, and then six years later, I hear it’s going be a pilot at ABC.”

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He added, “I know Sherilyn was eager to do it at the time. She was ambitious, and we probably could have built a show around her. I don’t know exactly how it went from there to a pilot script without her.”

Of course, we all know that ABC would pass on the pilot script for “Mulholland Drive” and, years later, Lynch would revive it (without the involvement of Frost) as a feature film. Watts would also complete the circle of life by having a role in the Showtime revival series, “Twin Peaks: The Return.”