Key Highlights
- Andrew Lincoln’s new thriller series, Coldwater, fails to match the success of The Walking Dead on Rotten Tomatoes.
- Coldwater has a 73% critic score and a 64% audience score compared to The Walking Dead’s 79% and 78%, respectively.
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live received even higher critical acclaim with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics.
- Lincoln plays John in Coldwater, a character who moves his family to a Scottish village after a violent incident.
Introduction and Context
Renowned actor Andrew Lincoln, best known for his role as Rick Grimes in the iconic series The Walking Dead, has ventured into the thriller genre with his new six-part series titled Coldwater. The show, which premiered on British television channel ITVX and is now streaming on Paramount+, aims to capitalize on Lincoln’s established fame and storytelling prowess. However, preliminary reviews suggest that Coldwater may not live up to the high standards set by its predecessor.
Performance on Rotten Tomatoes
The critical reception of Coldwater has been a point of discussion among fans and critics alike. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the series currently holds a 73% critic score and a 64% audience score. These figures place it below both The Walking Dead (with 79% from critics and 78% from audiences) and its spinoff The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (which boasts an impressive 88% critic approval).
While Coldwater’s scores are considered “Fresh” on the review aggregation site, they fall short of those achieved by Lincoln’s other post-Walking Dead projects. This discrepancy highlights a potential gap in audience and critical reception for the new series.
Plot Overview and Cast
In Coldwater, Lincoln portrays John, who relocates his family to the titular Scottish village following a traumatic incident in London. The character’s interactions with the village leader, Tommy (played by Ewen Bremner), drive the narrative forward as dark secrets begin to unfold. The series also features Indira Varma as John’s suspicious wife, Fiona.
The show is directed by Lee Haven Jones and Andrew Cumming, who bring their expertise to craft a suspenseful tale.
With only six episodes, Coldwater offers viewers a more manageable commitment compared to the extensive seasons of The Walking Dead. Despite this, its performance on Rotten Tomatoes suggests that it may not resonate as strongly with audiences and critics alike.
Future of Lincoln in The Walking Dead Franchise
The future of Andrew Lincoln’s involvement in The Walking Dead franchise remains uncertain. With the conclusion of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, fans are left wondering if Lincoln will have another opportunity to reprise his role as Rick Grimes. Meanwhile, multiple spinoffs continue to release new seasons, fueling speculation about potential reunions and returns.
For now, viewers can watch Coldwater on Paramount+, with the first episode airing on January 9, 2026.
The series will conclude in February, providing a brief but intriguing glimpse into Lincoln’s evolving career beyond The Walking Dead.
By subscribing to focused coverage and analysis of Coldwater and The Walking Dead universe, fans can stay updated on the latest developments and expert perspectives. As the series unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Andrew Lincoln will find similar success with Coldwater in the highly competitive world of television thriller programming.
