Twin Peaks revival: Release date announced for return of David Lynch's cult series

'The version of Twin Peaks you're going to see is the pure heroin version of David Lynch,' Showtime CEO David Nevins said

Agent Dale Cooper and Audrey Horne

Though rumours spread last week of a May release date for the highly-anticipated Twin Peaks revival, Showtime has finally given official word on the matter.

During Showtime's Television Critics Association panel, Showtime President and CEO David Nevins announced an official release of 21 May for the series (via Indiewire), with the 18-hour limited series kicking things off with a two-hour premiere.

Showtime subscribers will then have immediate access to the third and fourth hours, exclusively streaming on the Showtime streaming service and Showtime On Demand; while the following week will see those episodes air back-to-back on the channel. The rest of the one hour-episodes will then air on a normal weekly basis.

Which may sound like a confusing way to watch a television show but, then again, this is David Lynch we're talking about. "The version of Twin Peaks you're going to see is the pure heroin version of David Lynch," Nevins added to the announcement; which was soon followed by an announcement on Showtime's Twitter account.

Lynch also made a surprise appearance at the TCA's winter press tour (via The Hollywood Reporter); cryptically revealing, "" see it as a film. And a film in parts is what people will experience. It was a joyful experience. This word 'expect' is a magical word. People expect things, and their expectations are hopefully met when they see the thing."

Twins Peaks' revival continues the original series, which ran between 1990 and 1991; set in the present day, 25 years after Laura Palmer's murder. Returning cast members include Kyle MacLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn, Dana Ashbrook and Sheryl Lee while, as shown in a recently released video, Lynch himself will reprise the role of detective Gordon Cole.

Composer Angelo Badalamenti will also return for the new series that'll also feature Naomi Watts, Laura Dern, Michael Cera and The Walking Dead actor Josh McDermitt.