Cold Water is exciting for several reasons – first, it sees Andrew Lincoln return to British TV for the first time in more than a decade and, second, it’s a new ITV thriller with ‘hit’ written all over it.

The actor made his name playing Egg in This Life, came to global fame in US award-winner The Walking Dead, and returns to our screens as a “secretly raging stay-at-home dad” in 2025.

And we’re pretty sure his fans won’t be disappointed. Not just because the ensemble cast also includes TV faves Eve Myles, Ewen Bremner, and Indira Varma.

Here’s everything we know so far about Andrew Lincoln’s role in new ITV thriller Cold Water, including start date, plot details, and number of episodes.

What’s the plot of Cold Water on ITV?

ITV thriller Cold Water introduces John, who is described as “a repressed, depressed man”. He is shocked to find himself in middle age, secretly raging at his life as a stay-at-home dad.

When he witnesses a violent confrontation in a London playground, his failure to intervene brings his identity crisis to a head. He makes the drastic decision to move his family to (fictional) Scottish village of Coldwater – as far away from London as possible.

When he arrives, things begin well. He’s quickly befriended by his seemingly charming, confident next-door neighbour. Tommy is a man of faith, and a devoted husband to the local vicar Rebecca. Those around him consider him a pillar of the community. He’s also a self-appointed leader of the village’s all-male book group. But, of course, all is NOT what it seems in Cold Water! Well, thank goodness for that…

A synopsis explains: “John is both impressed and slightly fascinated by Tommy. His wife, however, Fiona 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. Fiona’s suspicions are aroused when her husband’s relationship with their enigmatic new neighbour becomes increasingly intense. She grows more and more convinced that Tommy isn’t all he seems to be.”

When an incident involving John’s long-repressed rage comes to a head, he subsequently finds himself unexpectedly indebted to his new friend. But John is totally unaware that Tommy himself is harbouring horrifying secrets. Who is the real Tommy?

David Ireland, famous for The Lovers, Ulster American, and Cyprus Avenue, wrote, created and executive produced the drama.

When’s the start date? How can I watch?

Although ITV has not yet confirmed the official start date for Cold Water, we do know it’s coming to ITV in autumn 2025.

Cold Water will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV player in the next few months.

How many episodes will it be?

The upcoming thriller will be six-parts. Each episode will be one hour long, including ads.

ITV has not yet revealed if the series will land as a binge-able boxset of if they’ll make us wait like naughty puppies. Watch this space for more info as and when we get it.

Who’s in the cast?

First, Andrew Lincoln plays depressed dad John in Cold Water, and it’s his long-awaited return to British TV. Of course, Andrew is a British actor who made it big in the US. Having cut his teeth in This Life, and Teacher, he won the role of Rick Grimes in Emmy-winning The Walking Dead. He played the zombie-slayer between 2010 and 2022, and reprised the role in 2024’s spin-off The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.

Ewen Bremner stars as John’s mysterious and charming neighbour Tommy. Trainspotting fans will know the Scottish actor best for his comedic turn as Spud in the 1996 film and its 2017 sequel.

Indira Varma plays John’s wife and former chef Fiona – who sees through Tommy straight away. Indira is famous for playing Niobe in Rome, Khadija Khan in The Capture, and Ellaria Sand in Game of Thrones.

Lastly, Eve Myles plays Tommy’s vicar wife Rebecca. Eye is known for playing Gwen Cooper in Torchwood, Claire Ripley in Broadchurch, and Faith Howells in Keeping Faith. She recently portrayed DCI Jeanette Kilburn in The Crow Girl cast. Thriller fans will enjoy her upcoming four-parter The Guest, which is coming up on BBC One later this year.

Cold Water on ITV is a ‘dark, funny, twisted thriller’

Writer, creator, and executive producer David Ireland says: “Cold Water 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 be find it intoxicating.”

Commented Polly Hill, ITV Head of Drama: “We are very excited for ITV to be the home for this brilliant new thriller exploring masculinity, religion and ultimately murder. David’s scripts are wonderful, and original and have attracted an incredible cast led by Andrew Lincoln. It promises to be a really unmissable drama.”

Lastly, Managing Director Chris Fry added: “The rural idyll of Coldwater is at first glance a place where nothing bad could ever happen. But, you know with David’s bold, subversive writing, darkness is always lurking just beneath the surface.

“David is a master of crafting morally complex characters that you feel utterly compelled to watch, and we can’t put these scripts down. Led by the incredible Andrew Lincoln, Ewen Bremner, Indira Varma and Eve Myles, Cold Water is a thriller that will surprise, horrify and delight in equal measure.”

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