Ruth Wilson Names the One Bizarre Show That Changed Television Forever

Ruth Wilson has built a career on starring in some of the most innovative TV series of the last twenty years. She rose to prominence during an era when the lines between cinema and television began to dissolve, a time when top-tier actors and directors increasingly chose the small screen. This shift allowed for deeper, more intricate storytelling than many mainstream movies could offer. While Wilson delivered strong performances in films like Saving Mr. Banks and See How They Run, it was her television work that cemented her status as one of her generation's most compelling actors.

Her nuanced portrayal in the BBC's Jane Eyre adaptation brought new depth to the classic character. In Luther, she masterfully played the ultimate femme fatale opposite Idris Elba's brilliant detective. Later, the Showtime drama The Affair earned acclaim for its complex exploration of psychological romance, pushing boundaries in a way rarely seen in either film or television.

A Formative Influence

Despite her own contributions to television's modern golden age, Wilson credits an earlier, game-changing series with sparking this evolution. In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, she named Twin Peaks as the show that stands above all others for her. “I watched that as a kid, and I just thought it was so weird and wonderful and scary,” Wilson recalled. “I just didn’t get it, but I loved the music. It was so, sort of, haunting”.

Redefining the Crime Drama

Wilson's admission that she couldn't fully grasp Twin Peaks on her first viewing is a common experience. David Lynch's revolutionary series confused many when it premiered because it completely defied the standard crime show formula of the time. Instead of a neat, case-of-the-week structure, it presented a serialized mystery that grew more complex and layered with each episode. This narrative approach laid the groundwork for future critically acclaimed shows, from Lost to Severance.

Her observation about the show's "haunting" quality also points to a deeper understanding of Lynch's artistic goals. While many have tried to dissect the series on a purely narrative level, its greatest power often came from its exploration of psychological horror, trauma, and abuse within a surreal, liminal space. Even with the constraints of network television in the early 1990s, Lynch managed to weave in deeply disturbing imagery. This was especially true in the shocking season two finale, ‘Beyond Life and Death’, which concluded with one of the most infamous cliffhangers in TV history. Many of the dark, underlying themes merely hinted at in the original run were later explored more explicitly in the prequel film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, which Lynch directed a year after the show was canceled.

Lynch's Enduring Legacy

Following Lynch's unfortunate passing earlier this year, Wilson will never have the opportunity to collaborate with the visionary director. However, his influence continues to be felt in her work. She is currently starring in the celebrated Apple TV+ mystery Down Cemetery Road. The series has drawn comparisons to Lynch's masterpiece for its large ensemble cast and it's strange, hallucinatory atmosphere, positioning it as a spiritual successor to the iconic show.