Lisa Coronado appears in Part 6 of the Showtime series Twin Peaks. The show airs Sunday evenings at 9pm.
The return this past May of the mysterious David Lynch helmed television series Twin Peaks was met with high expectations. The original series debuted in 1990, and while it lasted only two seasons achieved cult status and has often been listed as among the greatest television dramas of all time. Now a West Seattle based actress, Lisa Coronado is among those appearing in the show.
The new series, appearing on Showtime on Sunday evenings at 9pm features most of the same actors from the original series including Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn, Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise, and several others. New additions include Monica Bellucci, Jeremy Davies, Trent Reznor, Laura Dern, Robert Forster, Tim Roth, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ashley Judd, Tom Sizemore, Amanda Seyfried, Matthew Lillard, Sky Ferreira and Naomi Watts.
The West Seattle Herald covered Coronado's last film called Different Drummers in 2014 and since then she's been busy in commercials (Snoqualmie Casino and others) and working on other projects.
Coronado first found the stage in a 1st grade play but didn't start pursuing it professionally until she was 22. About 8 years ago she began pursuing acting full time.
She went to Ireland last summer to play a character she helped create with Ben Dobyns for a pilot called Strowlers, she played Dr. Merch on Syfy's Z Nation, and appeared in Jeff Ferrel's indie ghost film Ghostlight. "The work I'm most proud of is Kris and Lindy Boustedt's short Ten Years Later that I filmed with my best friend Wonder Russell. It's super dark," Coronado said.
Coronado said her strongest desire (and probably common for many actors) is for a consistent part, " I'm pushing for television. A lead on a series would be like hitting the jackpot. It's next to impossible and I'm constantly telling myself I'm crazy. But I think my road thus far has been crazy so why not go after it? Writing is something I'll always do. Whether anyone sees it is another story. I haven't had the director bug hit. Yet."
Her part in Twin Peaks has no character name but her role is easily among the most emotionally powerful the new series has yet revealed. She plays the part called "Hit and Run Mom" in which a drugged out character Richard Horne (played by Eamon Farren) in a large truck hits her son (played by Hunter Sanchez) and drives off. She rushes to her son's lifeless body in anguish, and is comforted by a neighbor Carl Todd (played by Harry Dean Stanton). Coronado said, "I got called in to audition for Heidi Walker. I didn't know what the project was or the part. When I went she just set up a camera and started asking me questions. Mainly about raising kids and being a mom. I think I got emotional on one of them and I was like 'Pull it together Lisa!'. And that was it. Then a few weeks later I got the call that I booked it. And I still didn't know what 'it' was. My script pages showed up a bit later and then I knew. I freaked out."
Being directed by Lynch was a memorable experience Coronado said, "He's the kindest man. He cares deeply for his actors. I felt totally safe. One scene was difficult, emotionally. He was there with me 100%. I was so involved in the character and the scene I didn't have time to freak out at the fact that I was being directed by the great David Lynch. And working with Harry Dean Stanton. Which is probably a good thing. I definitely had a 'I can't believe this is my life' moment when I got home though."
Since her appearance she has gone back and watched a few episodes of the original series. "I had previously watched it as a teenager. But as soon as this newest season aired I stopped. I'm hooked on this one. I will definitely go back and rewatch. I love what David creates," she said, noting that she was a Lynch fan from childhood. "Dune was a huge movie for me growing up. It solidified my love of science fiction and fantasy. I wanted to be that little girl with the glowing blue eyes so bad! Mulholland Drive was a trip. I loved every second of it. I recently watched a commercial he made in 2010 for Lady Dior with Marion Cotillard. It's gorgeous! I love his work. It's unique. It creates feelings of unease and wonder. And it's incredibly brave work. I learned what it's like to watch someone so completely invested in every detail of their work. His vision is so strong and clear. And he truly connects with the people around him."
Coronado is staying busy most recently finishing up pickups for Wonder Russell's first feature See You on the Other Side. "It's about a grieving widow who finds a bit of magic within herself and brings her husband back. I also have a few projects that will be releasing this year: the Strowlers pilot and the Ireland film that goes along with it. And auditioning. Nothing is ever guaranteed so it's a constant struggle for work."
Given the mysterious nature of the storyline in Twin Peaks, Coronado is as fascinated as the entire audience with how the story is being told. "Maybe because it's familiar or the storyline feels like it's the most rooted in reality," she said. "I want more Shelly! I'm identifying with her character the most. And the return of Harry Dean Stanton is just wonderful. That guy is so good. I really want to know what's up with that glass box. I have ideas but I want to see more! Oh and for Dougie to 'wake up'. That's been excruciating and hilarious to watch but I want Agent Cooper back!"