Donna Hayward

“It is like I am having the most beautiful dream; and the most terrible nightmare at once.”

Screenshot of Lara Flynn Boyle as Donna Hayward, from David Lynch’s Twin Peaks.
© Lynch/Frost & Twin Peaks Productions.

Donna Hayward, the best friend Laura ever had

Donna Hayward, a Twin Peaks High School honor student, is Laura’s best friend. She’s adventurous yet careful, an instinct which she credits to her father being the town’s doctor.

When her best friend is found murdered, Donna Hayward starts her own investigation with James Hurley  and Maddy Ferguson.

Donna on Pinterest

Donna Hayward’s story

Laura’s Influence

Before Laura’s demise Donna Hayward usually looked like a well-behaved, good spirited young girl. Her parents, and especially her father, trust in her judgement and are very proud to have a daughter like her.

Good as she is however, she looks up to Laura Palmer, who persuades Donna more than occasionally to engage in far less well-behaved activities.

“So I say, ‘lets go skinny dipping’. So we take off our clothes. I know the boys are watching. Laura starts to kiss Josh and Rick. I don’t know what to do. So I swim away.”

Donna Hayward and Laura Palmer have been friends since early childhood, and things started innocent enough.

At age 12 Donna saved many weeks of allowances to buy Laura a very nice blouse (White, silky and with embroidered roses!) at Horne’s Department Store as a birthday gift.

Smoking hot skinny dipping

Soon however Donna Hayward tried smoking – easily convinced by Laura stating that: “I’m glad I tried it, and I don’t ever have to do it again if I don’t want to”.  After that skinny dipping, age 13, with Laura and three 20 year old men.

“I can still feel that kiss. His lips are warm and sweet. My heart jumps. He’s talking to me but I can’t hear him. A hug and a kiss. I never saw him again. It was the first time I ever fell in love.”

An orgy, a murder and one’s redemption

Finally Donna Hayward shows up at The Roadhouse, even though Laura had not wanted her company that night. As Laura and three men are about to enter the Pink Room intent on having sex, Donna impresses the group with her “audition kiss”. She’s allowed to join the party.

And so Donna finds herself, once again in Laura’s wake, being topless and making out with one of the men, while Laura is receiving oral pleasure from another.

“My undying friendship to Laura has caused my great pain and sorrow. I know that I’ll never get over her death. I miss her so much.”

The sight of Donna Hayward’s promiscuous behaviour under the influence of drugs awakens the will to do good in Laura. She interupts and takes her best friend home.

Laura admits she thinks Donna is good, while she is bad, and she wishes for Donna not to become like her. Soon after, Laura is found dead, and Donna Hayward is left devasted.

Donna Hayward – Quotes

“It’s like I’m having the most beautiful dream; and the most terrible nightmare at once.”

“It’s like I’m having the most beautiful dream; and the most terrible nightmare at once.”

“So I say, ‘lets go skinny dipping’. So we take off our clothes. I know the boys are watching.”

“Laura starts to kiss Josh and Rick. I don’t know what to do. So I swim away.”

“As much as I love you, Laura, most of the time we were trying to solve your problems. And you know what? We still are. Not mine or James’ or Maddy’s. Yours. You’re dead Laura, but your problems keep hanging around!”

“Yeah, Mike, you’re the real man.”