Sherilyn Fenn’s portrayal of Audrey Horne in the original Twin Peaks (1990–1991) is one of the most iconic performances in television history. She managed to blend the “femme fatale” archetype of classic noir with a vulnerable, rebellious teenage spirit.
Audrey begins the series as the neglected, bored daughter of local tycoon Ben Horne. Her character arc is defined by her unrequited infatuation with Special Agent Dale Cooper provided some of the show’s most charming and tension-filled moments. Eager to impress Cooper and gain her father’s attention, she goes undercover at One-Eyed Jacks, a dangerous move that highlights both her bravery and her naivety. She transitions from a “spoiled rich girl” disrupting her father’s business deals to a woman genuinely concerned with the town's moral rot.
Fenn’s performance was elevated by a specific visual language that became synonymous with the character. Her wardrobe – saddle shoes, pleated skirts, and tight cashmere sweaters – created a “retro-modern” look that influenced 1990s fashion.
Perhaps her most famous scene involves her tying a cherry stem into a knot with her tongue, a moment that cemented her status as a pop-culture icon. The surreal moment where she spontaneously dances to Angelo Badalamenti’s “Audrey’s Dance” in the Double R Diner perfectly captured the show’s “dream logic.”
Sherilyn Fenn brought a specific “old Hollywood” glamour to the Pacific Northwest. While the script gave Audrey her lines, Fenn added a layer of soulful melancholy. She made Audrey more than just a troublemaker; she made her a tragic figure searching for a moral compass in a town full of secrets. For her role as Audrey, Fenn received both Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations.
