Cold Water: ITV announce new Andrew Lincoln drama

ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, has commissioned a new six-part thriller, Cold Water, marking the return of award-winning actor Andrew Lincoln to British television. Joining Lincoln are Ewen Bremner (Our Flag Means Death, Trainspotting), Indira Varma (Obsession, Obi-Wan Kenobi), and Eve Myles (Hijack, Keeping Faith). The series is penned by acclaimed playwright David Ireland (The Lovers, Ulster American, Cyprus Avenue).

Set in the fictional Scottish village of Coldwater, the series is written, created, and executive produced by David Ireland. SISTER (Eric, This Is Going To Hurt, Chernobyl) produces the show for ITV1 and ITVX, with Lee Haven Jones (Passenger, Ruth, Doctor Who) directing the first three episodes.

Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead, Teachers) stars as John, a repressed man confronting a midlife crisis as a stay-at-home dad. When he fails to intervene in a violent playground incident, John relocates his family to the rural village of Coldwater, far from London.

In Coldwater, John quickly befriends his neighbor Tommy (Bremner), a charismatic and confident man who is a devoted husband to the local vicar Rebecca (Myles). Tommy, a community pillar and leader of the village’s all-male book group, impresses and fascinates John, though Fiona (Varma), John’s wife and a former chef aiming to start anew, despises him.

As Fiona grows suspicious of Tommy’s intentions, John’s fascination with Tommy intensifies. Unbeknownst to John, Tommy harbors dark secrets, and as unsettling incidents unfold, John begins to question Tommy’s true nature.

John’s repressed anger eventually erupts with dire consequences, leaving him unexpectedly indebted to Tommy. This thriller unravels the story of a normal man in a normal marriage who finds himself in an extraordinary and dangerous situation, discovering his own power while falling under the sway of a perilous influence.

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 and I am delighted to be working with Jane Featherstone again and her brilliant team at Sister.”

Filming will start later this year.