After years of fighting zombies in The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln has returned to British TV in thenew ITV drama Coldwater. He plays John, a man who secretly resents his life as a stay-at-home father and relocates his family to a village in Scotland after witnessing a shocking event at a playground in London.
Critics have given the series rave reviews, praising it for the exploration of masculinity, marriage and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Much of the show's drama stems from the fictional town, Coldwater, with its rugged landscapes and overly-friendly locals exposing the dark side of rural life.
Fans are already hooked on the darkly comic thriller and many are asking: where was Coldwater filmed? From atmospheric streets to striking interiors, we’ve uncovered the key filming locations that bring the show to life.
Where was Coldwater filmed?
Although Coldwater is a fictional village, the writer wanted to capture the essence of a picturesque Scottish village. Speaking about the decision to set the story there, Irish writer David Ireland explained: “I’ve always loved small towns in Scotland and I’ve always wanted to live in one but never had the chance to. I love a lot of small towns in Northern Ireland so Coldwater is my little fantasy. You’ve got the beautiful Church, beautiful coffee shops… It's an idealised version of rural Scotland."
Dunlop, East Ayrshire
The village of Dunlop (20 miles southeast of Glasgow city), was used for most of the external shots of Coldwater, giving it that 'small town' feel that becomes quite claustrophobic in the series.
South Lanarkshire
Houses in South Lanarkshire were used for the exterior shots of John and Fiona (played by Andrew Lincoln and Indira Varma)and Tommy and Rebecca’s (Ewen Bremner and Eve Myles) houses. "They are inspired by and based on two real houses that really do sit side by side, sort of on each other's shoulders,’ says executive producer Alice Tyler. "We loved that idea of voyeurism and peeping Tom-ness that comes with that proximity between the two spaces."
Sets were used for the interiors, with glass doors and lots of lamps, adding to the goldfish bowl and claustrophobia.
Glen Fruin and Loch Lomond
The picturesque Glen Fruin and Loch Lomond were used for many of the scenic, outdoor scenes. These shots show off the rugged beauty of Rural Scotland.
Blanefield, Stirling
Episode 3 features a funeral (you'll have to watch it for yourself to find out who dies), which brings the main characters together. The church service was filmed at Dunlop Kirk, but the wake was shot at Edmonstone Hall.
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.