Ruth Wilson Names the TV Series That Changed Everything

Ruth Wilson has carved out a reputation as one of the most versatile actors on telly, but when it comes to what really opened her eyes to what television could do, she points straight to David Lynch. These days, the line between film and TV is pretty blurry, with plenty of big names jumping between the two. High-end series often give actors and directors more room to dig into complex stories than your average blockbuster. While Wilson’s had her moments on the big screen in films like Saving Mr Banks and See How They Run, it’s her work on TV that’s made her a household name.

Her take on Jane Eyre in the BBC’s four-parter brought a fresh depth to the classic, and her role in Luther as the ultimate femme fatale opposite Idris Elba’s detective was a real standout. Then there’s The Affair on Showtime, which got plenty of praise for its honest look at the messiness of relationships—something you don’t see much in either films or TV.

Discovering a Classic

Despite being part of shows that have shaped the TV landscape, Wilson still tips her hat to the one that started it all. In a chat with Rotten Tomatoes, she named Twin Peaks as her all-time favourite.

“I watched that as a kid, and I just thought it was so weird and wonderful and scary,”

she said.

“I just didn’t get it, but I loved the music. It was so, sort of, haunting.”

Wilson’s honesty about not fully understanding Twin Peaks isn’t just down to her age at the time. When Lynch’s series first hit the air, it left heaps of viewers scratching their heads. It didn’t follow the usual crime show formula, instead building a mystery that got more tangled and layered every week. That approach paved the way for later hits like Lost and Severance.

The Haunting Power of Lynch

Her comment about the show being “haunting” shows she picked up on what Lynch was aiming for. While plenty of people have tried to pick apart the story, the series really shines when it’s exploring the darker corners of the mind—trauma, fear, and the stuff that lurks just out of sight.

Back in the early ‘90s, there were limits to what you could show on network TV, but Lynch still managed to slip in some pretty disturbing moments. The season two finale, ‘Beyond Life and Death’, left punters with one of the biggest cliffhangers ever. The themes that were only hinted at in the original run got a lot more attention in the prequel film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, which Lynch directed after the show wrapped up.

Legacy and Influence

With Lynch’s passing earlier this year, Wilson never got the chance to work with him. Still, she’s currently starring in the much-talked-about Apple TV+ mystery Down Cemetery Road. The show’s been called a spiritual follow-up to Twin Peaks, thanks to its sprawling cast and trippy atmosphere.