When Andrew Lincoln walked off the set of The Walking Dead, many assumed the iconic Rick Grimes would be the role that defined him forever. And while it certainly cemented his status as a television legend, there’s another, often overlooked horror performance that deserves just as much attention.
We're talking one that proves Lincoln’s range extends far beyond zombie apocalypse survival. That role comes in Netflix’s Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, specifically the episode titled “The Murmuring.”
For fans used to Lincoln wielding guns and leading groups of survivors, this episode offers a starkly different kind of terror. It's quiet, creeping, and deeply emotional. It's the kind of horror that doesn't rely on gore or jump scares, but on atmosphere, psychological tension, and the subtle unraveling of human grief.
Cabinet of Curiosities is a horror series unlike any other
Cabinet of Curiosities is Guillermo del Toro’s brainchild. It's an anthology series that mixes Gothic imagery, supernatural elements, and human drama. Unlike traditional series, the show consists of eight standalone episodes. Each has a different director and story, but all are unified by del Toro’s signature eye for the macabre.
From eerie ghost stories to psychological thrillers, the series showcases some of the most compelling horror storytelling available on streaming today. Its production design, haunting atmospheres, and diverse ensemble cast make it a must-watch for horror enthusiasts, and one of its episodes features Lincoln in a role that fans of his previous work might not have anticipated.
Andrew Lincoln as Edgar Bradley
In “The Murmuring," Lincoln plays Edgar Bradley, an ornithologist mourning the loss of his young daughter. He is paired with his on-screen wife and fellow ornithologist, Nancy Bradley, played by Essie Davis. Together, they travel to a remote island to observe a unique bird species, only to confront a series of inexplicable and terrifying events.
Initially, Nancy and Edgar’s research proceeds normally on the island. They set up equipment, observe the birds’ swooping, synchronized flight, and record their behaviors. But soon tension emerges not from nature but from within and around them.
Nancy begins to hear strange sounds, including static and an audio recording that seems to carry something beyond bird calls. Gradually, she begins to see and hear apparitions as well, such as a young crying boy and a woman yelling, inside the old house where they are staying. These occurrences are far outside what science should explain, but Nancy experiences them firsthand.
Meanwhile, Edgar dismisses her concerns as exhaustion or emotional strain, especially given the couple’s shared trauma. As the episode continues to unfold, Nancy eventually learns that the old house they’re staying in once belonged to a woman named Claudette. She raised her son there. However, the history is tragic.
Without going into deep spoilers, just know that these two characters are what deliver the horror aspect to the episode. But once you learn their story, the episode's horror turns into something else entirely. You might even become slightly emotional as the fear gives way to a profound sense of empathy and sadness.
Overall, Lincoln's turn in Cabinet of Curiosities highlights his versatility. So if you’re a Walking Dead fan looking for a new way to experience him, or simply a horror enthusiast seeking something unsettling, this is the episode to watch. It may not have made the same splash as Rick Grimes’ survival saga in The Walking Dead, but it leaves an impression that’s hard to forget.
"The Murmuring" from Cabinet of Curiosities is available to stream on Netflix right now.