After two decades, Andrew Lincoln is making his long-awaited return to British television in ITV’s upcoming thriller Coldwater, and fans don’t have long to wait! First-look images show the actor in character as John, a disillusioned stay-at-home dad grappling with a deepening identity crisis.
When John fails to intervene in a violent playground altercation, the incident becomes a turning point -prompting him to uproot his family from London to the quiet, seemingly idyllic village of Coldwater.
But as he begins to settle in and form new friendships, it becomes clear that not everything in Coldwater is as peaceful as it seems…
Speaking at the press screening, Andrew Lincoln described John as “a man who doesn’t quite know who he is.” He explained that this turning point triggers shame and guilt, setting John on a challenging journey of self-discovery. “He’s trying to find a sense of himself,” Lincoln said, “until he meets a version of masculinity, or perhaps faith and community, that might be the solution. There’s a lot of beauty in that journey.”
What is Coldwater about?
"Upon arrival (to Coldwater), John is quickly befriended by next-door neighbour Tommy, a charming, confident man, devoted husband to the local vicar Rebecca. He is a man of faith, a pillar of the community and self-appointed leader of the village’s all-male book group.", the synopsis reads.
"John is both impressed and slightly fascinated by Tommy. His wife Fiona (Varma) despises him. As a successful former chef hoping to launch a new venture in Coldwater, Fiona sees the move as an opportunity to leave the past behind them. To not only re-build their lives as a family but re-ignite the long-lost spark in their fading marriage.
"When her husband’s relationship with their enigmatic new neighbour becomes increasingly intense, Fiona’s suspicions are aroused. She is unconvinced Tommy is all he seems to be. But John remains blissfully unaware that Tommy is harbouring horrifying secrets, and it’s only after a series of unsettling incidents start to occur that John begins to wonder who the real Tommy actually is.
"And when John’s long-repressed rage comes to a head with disastrous results, he soon finds himself unexpectedly indebted to his new friend."
The Coldwater trailer
ITV has released a gripping trailer for Coldwater, and it’s every bit as unsettling as you’d expect. The teaser opens with ominous music as Fiona (Indira Varma), John’s wife, reveals that they’ve been invited to dinner by their neighbours.
We then meet those neighbours: Rebecca (Eve Myles) is shown coaching her husband with lines like “big smiles” and “we’re delighted to see them” before greeting her guests with a beaming grin. But is this just nervous hospitality, or is something darker lurking beneath the surface?
During the evening, John expresses his fondness for Tommy, though Rebecca’s unease is obvious. Her blunt admission - “he makes my skin crawl” - sets the tone for the tension that follows.
The trailer then flickers through more unsettling moments: the couple reading a newspaper headline, “Who killed Suzie Bissett?”; John being menaced in a corner shop before spiralling into a panic attack in his car; and finally, a house engulfed in flames, with Tommy (Ewen Bremner) watching coldly as someone announces that a body has been discovered in the woods. It’s classic crime drama territory, but with an edge that suggests something far more sinister at play.
When the trailer ends, we hear a whisper of "everything's under control" and a manic-looking Tommy with a smile on his face, as John looks majorly concerned.
Who's in the Coldwater cast?
Coldwater brings together a fantastic set of actors, led by Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead, Teachers, Love Actually) as John. He’s joined by Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting, Moving On) as Tommy, Indira Varma (Obsession, Paranoid) as Fiona, and Eve Myles (Keeping Faith, The Guest) as Rebecca, rounding out the show’s core ensemble.
The supporting cast includes:
• Samuel Bottomley (The Teacher, Somewhere Boy) as Cameron
• Lorn Macdonald (Bridgerton, Deadwater Fell) as Angus
• Abigail Lawrie (Tin Star, Strike) as Moira-Jane
• Lois Chimimba (Nightsleeper, Vigil) as Catorina
• Greg Hemphill (Still Game, Jules and Greg's Wild Swim) as Bobby
• Sanjeev Kholi (River City, Dept. Q) as Malky
• Dylan Blore (Crime, The Hunt for Raoul Moat) as Brick
• Carla Langley (Carnival Row, Witness for the Prosecution) as Kelly
Speaking at the press screening, Andrew Lincoln described the series’ dynamic: “The group scenes are very theatrical - I think that’s why it’s got such an amazing cast of people, because they just play.
"I laughed more on this job than any other. I have been in an apocalypse for 10 years. But it was just fun."
Writer David Ireland (who's also a playwright and actor) said, “Coldwater started with a question I was asking myself. Where do I want to live – the countryside or the city? Such an innocent beginning, but from it came this dark, funny, twisted thriller.
"I was delighted when Sister loved the script and thrilled when ITV decided to commission it. And I’m amazed we’ve managed to attract such a peerless cast, led by the formidable Andrew Lincoln. I hope viewers will find it intoxicating.”
When is Coldwater on ITV?
The new drama Coldwater will have six episodes and is coming to ITV on Sunday 14th September at 9pm.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who has watched hundreds of dramas and is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and going on walks with her three dogs.