In the latest episode of his Fail Better podcast, host David Duchovny reunites with his former Twin Peaks co-star Kyle MacLachlan. Through personal stories, the two actors reflect on the unique experience of working with David Lynch and the cultural phenomenon of Twin Peaks.
David Lynch Called David Duchovny A “Scene Stealer”
Despite being a memorable part of the show, Duchovny as Denise Bryson was never directed by Lynch during the original series run, a fact he admits “was always one of my regrets.” However, at the wrap party after the second season, Lynch approached him with a backhanded compliment that has stuck with him. The director said, “Oh, I’m happy I didn’t have to work with you. You’re a scene stealer!” Duchovny remembers protesting: “No, no, no, I’m a team player!”
MacLachlan assured that the comment was actually high praise for his ability to command attention with stillness. “You do ‘less is more’ better than anybody,” MacLachlan told him, adding that Duchovny possesses “a real sense of mystery” that makes him “very compelling” to watch.
Flowers for Kyle
Duchovny took a moment to express his gratitude to MacLachlan for the welcoming atmosphere he created on the original Twin Peaks set, which is not a given in the industry. Acknowledging MacLachlan’s status as number one on the call sheet, Duchovny said, “You’re the lead guy, you set the tone.” Coming in as a guest star in a risky role as a cross-dressing DEA agent, the experience could have been daunting, but Duchovny called MacLachlan “a prime example of how to be that guy on set.” Accepting the praise, MacLachlan explained that he wanted his co-stars to be comfortable “so they can do their best work.” Duchovny remembered a specific moment of kindness where MacLachlan told him, “I wish you could be in every episode.”
The Return of Denise
On a Saturday night in 2015, Duchovny returned to the character of Denise Bryson, now FBI Chief of Staff, he finally got to be directed by David Lynch. He confessed, “I wanted very badly for David to like me.” Feeling insecure about how he had aged over the last 25 years but proud of his legs, he asked Lynch, “Do you mind if I… perch on the front of the desk and we have the scene like that? Because my legs were still good and I wanted to use my legs.”
Lynch immediately shot the idea down, telling him, “That would make me very uncomfortable.” Duchovny and MacLachlan laughed that this was likely Lynch speaking in character as Gordon Cole, noting that the discomfort could’ve been a great thing in their scene. But Lynch ultimately refused to change the blocking.
Fire walk with 
