Andrew Lincoln looks very different from his time fighting zombies. The first trailer for his new show, Coldwater, is here, and it shows him in a tense story about a family, a new town, and a neighbor who might be hiding terrible secrets. The six-part thriller will start on Paramount+ on Friday, January 9, 2026.
The trailer gives a close look at Lincoln as John, a stay-at-home dad who moves his family from London to Scotland after a troubling event. His famous beard from The Walking Dead is gone, replaced by a much more average look for a man trying to escape his past. In the quiet, remote town, he is quickly befriended by a charismatic local named Tommy, played by Ewen Bremner. However, John’s wife Fiona, played by Indira Varma, is not convinced their new life is safe.
The Story Behind Coldwater
Coldwater is a psychological thriller created and written by David Ireland. The story follows John, a man experiencing a deep personal crisis. After he fails to step in during a violent confrontation at a playground in London, he decides his family needs a complete change. He relocates them to the fictional Scottish town of Coldwater, hoping for a peaceful, rural life.
The official description of the show states that John is “blissfully unaware” that his new friend Tommy is “harbouring horrifying secrets”. Tommy, played by Ewen Bremner of Trainspotting fame, is presented as a charming and confident pillar of the small community. The trouble starts when John’s own long-repressed anger surfaces, leading to a disastrous result that leaves him indebted to Tommy. John then has to figure out just how dangerous his new friend really is.
The show asks a simple but scary question: How well can you ever really know your neighbors?
A Strong Cast and Creative Team
Andrew Lincoln leads the cast as John, marking another major TV role since leaving The Walking Dead. He is also listed as a producer on the series. He is joined by a skilled group of actors:
- Ewen Bremner as Tommy, the neighbor. Bremner is best known for his role as Spud in Trainspotting.
- Indira Varma as Fiona, John’s wife. Varma has appeared in Game of Thrones and Obsession.
- Eve Myles as Rebecca, Tommy’s wife. Myles is recognized for her work in Torchwood and Broadchurch.
The series was directed by Lee Haven-Jones and Andrew Cumming. It is produced by the company SISTER, known for critically acclaimed series like Chernobyl.
What the First Trailer Shows
The trailer, released by Paramount+, sets a moody and suspenseful tone. It opens with John explaining the move, saying, “We decided it was time for a change”. Scenes show the family trying to settle into their new, quieter life. They are invited to dinner by their neighbors Rebecca and Tommy, who warmly greet them.
However, Fiona’s unease is clear from the start. In a private moment, she tells John, “He makes my skin crawl,” referring to Tommy. John dismisses her concerns, drawn to Tommy’s confidence.
The plot thickens when a local woman named Suzie Bissett dies and a body is found in the woods. The trailer hints that John becomes strangely involved in these events. Tommy assures him, “Relax, I’ve got your back,” but this promise seems more threatening than comforting. Fiona’s fear grows, and she pleads with John, “I don’t want you anywhere near him. He’s poison.” John angrily replies, “You can’t control who I see,” showing the strain on their marriage.
The trailer promises a story where trust is broken and the idyllic setting hides dark truths.
Release Schedule for Global Audiences
Coldwater will be available for audiences in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other global markets, but the release details vary.
- United States: The series will premiere on Friday, January 9, 2026, exclusively on the Paramount+ Premium plan. New episodes will be released weekly every Friday. The sixth and final episode will debut on Friday, February 13, 2026.
- United Kingdom: The show has already aired. It premiered on ITV1 and STV in September 2025, and is available to stream on ITVX and the STV Player.
- Global Release: For viewers outside the U.S. and UK, the series is expected to be available on Paramount+ in their regions, though local premiere dates may differ. The show is part of Paramount’s global content strategy.
The weekly release schedule means fans will get one episode per week, building anticipation for each new part of the story.
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Andrew Lincoln’s Path to Coldwater
For many fans, Andrew Lincoln will always be Rick Grimes, the brave leader from The Walking Dead. He played that role from 2010 until his departure in 2018, later returning for the limited series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live in 2024.
Since leaving the main show, Lincoln has taken on different types of work. He starred in the film Penguin Bloom and appeared in an episode of Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. He also returned to theater in a stage production of The Lady from the Sea.
Coldwater represents a significant return to a leading television role for Lincoln, and it is a project close to home. The series was filmed in the UK, which was important for Lincoln, who has previously said he left The Walking Dead to spend more time with his family there.
The series is a big shift from the zombie apocalypse, pulling him into a more realistic, psychological horror that hits closer to home. With its focus on secrets, guilt, and the fear of the familiar, Coldwater aims to show a new side of the actor.
The full trailer is now available to watch on the Paramount+ YouTube channel and social media pages.
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