COLD WATER: FIRST LOOK AND CASTING FOR NEW ITV THRILLER STARRING ANDREW LINCOLN

ITV has revealed a first-look image from the upcoming six-part thriller Cold Water, starring Andrew Lincoln in his long-awaited return to British TV. It is produced by SISTER (Black Doves, Eric, Chernobyl) for airing and streaming on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player later this autumn.

The series is written, created and executive produced by David Ireland (The Lovers, Ulster American, Cyprus Avenue). Lee Haven Jones (A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, Passenger, Doctor Who) directs the first three episodes. Andrew Cumming (Shetland, Payback, Cold Feet) directs the second half of the series.

Set in the fictional Scottish village of Coldwater, Lincoln (The Walking Dead, Teachers) plays John, a repressed, depressed man who is shocked to find himself in middle age, secretly raging at his life as a stay-at-home dad.

When his failure to intervene in a violent confrontation in a playground brings his identity crisis to a head, John ups and moves his family to the rural idyll of Coldwater, as far away from London as possible.

Upon arrival, John is quickly befriended by his charming, confident next-door neighbour Tommy (Ewen Bremner), a devoted husband to the local vicar Rebecca (Eve Myles). He is a man of faith, a pillar of the community and self-appointed leader of the village’s all-male book group. 

John is both impressed and slightly fascinated by Tommy. His wife Fiona (Indira Varma) despises him. Fiona saw the move to Coldwater as an opportunity to leave the past behind them and reignite the 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.

When John’s long-repressed rage comes to a head with disastrous results, he soon finds himself unexpectedly indebted to his new friend, unaware that Tommy himself is harbouring horrifying secrets.

It’s only after a series of unsettling incidents start to occur that John begins to wonder who the real Tommy actually is.

The series will be executive produced by Chris Fry (Black Doves, Kaos, Landscapers), Alice Tyler (The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies), Lydia Hampson (The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies, Cheat, Fleabag) and Jane Featherstone (Black Doves, Kaos, Eric), for SISTER, David Ireland and Andrew Lincoln. Brian Coffey (Dinosaur, Our Ladies) produces. 

Cold Water will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV player in the autumn of 2025.