Andrew Lincoln stars in David Ireland’s ITV thriller Cold Water

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EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Lincoln returns to British television.

The Walking Dead Star has landed his first role on this side of the pond in over a decade in an ITV thriller he will produce, titled Cold water, The work was written by the famous playwright David Ireland and is produced by Eric Outfit Sister. Other cast members include Ewen Bremner (Trainspotting)Indira Varma (Obsession) and Eve Myles (Keeping the Faith).

In Cold water, Lincoln plays John, a repressed man who is shocked to find himself middle-aged and secretly resentful of his life as a househusband. He moves to a remote Scottish village and befriends his neighbor Tommy (Bremner), whom his wife Fiona (Varma) despises. As her husband’s relationship with their enigmatic new neighbor intensifies, Fiona’s suspicions are aroused. She is unconvinced that Tommy is really what he seems.

Lincoln is best known for his role as lead character Rick Grimes in AMC’s hit series. The Walking Deadwhich recently signed a deal with Sky in the UK. He starred in the post-apocalyptic horror series for eight years and reprised his role in a spin-off earlier this year The Walking Dead: Those Who Live. He made a career in British television and landed his first roles in BBC dramas This life and Channel 4 sitcom Teacher, along with a starring role in Richard Curtis’ Love actually. His last British TV project was the Sky series Fight back alongside Richard Armitage in 2010.

Cold water is the latest television project for Ireland, who has made a name for himself as an award-winning playwright but also wrote the Sky series The loving ones. He also played the role of Sean Devlin in the hit Channel 4 comedy Derry girl.

Sisters debut ITV drama, Passenger, started a few weeks ago. The latest series from Jane Featherstone and Elisabeth Murdoch’s team to hit the small screen was Eric, a fantastic Netflix show starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Ireland said: “Cold water started with a question I asked myself. Where do I want to live – in the country or in the city? Such an innocent beginning, but it turned into this dark, funny, twisted thriller. And I’m amazed that we managed to attract such an unrivalled cast, led by the amazing Andrew Lincoln.”

Polly Hill, ITV’s head of drama, added: “David’s scripts are wonderful and original and have attracted an incredible cast led by Andrew Lincoln. It promises to be a truly watchable drama.”

Executive producer of the series is Chris Fry (Landscape Gardener, Kaos), Alice Tyler (The following events are based on a bunch of lies), Lydia Hampson (Flea bag, The following events are based on a bunch of lies) and Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Eric) for Sister Ireland, Lincoln and Brian Coffey (Dinosaurs, Our Ladies) will produce. ITV Studios will handle international distribution.

Further cast and production details have yet to be announced, with filming expected to begin later in 2024.

Lincoln is represented by CAA, Range Media Partners, Wolf Kasteler and attorney Geoffry Oblath.