![COLDWATER. Pictured: ANDREW LINCOLN as John. This photograph is (C) SISTER PICTURES and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5403,h_3039/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImageExchange/mmsport/318/01kf51sepzw55cr4fgnq.jpg "COLDWATER. Pictured: ANDREW LINCOLN as John. This photograph is (C) SISTER PICTURES and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other")
It's hard to associate Andrew Lincoln with any other role than that of Rick Grimes as the veteran actor has made that character into a household name and global phenomenon over the course of the past 16 years. However, we must remember that, for Lincoln has carved out an incredible career for himself, including that unforgettable role in Love, Actually - which remained his most popular project until The Walking Dead came along.
The star remained front-and-center of the pop-culture landscape throughout the show's whole run, even after his departure in the ninth season. He eventually returned to Rick for spinoff miniseries The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, which was a major deal as it saw him effectively end the character's long-running story. Now, Grimes has returned to the small screen in a post-Rick Grimes world and the response has been pretty mixed.
Andrew Lincoln's new TV show Coldwater receives a mixed response
Andrew Lincoln made his long-awaited return to TV in thriller series Coldwater, which has just begun airing / streaming on Paramount Plus. Naturally, fans of the TWD Universe were quick to check it out in a bid to see Lincoln doing what he does best: Thrilling people with his nuanced performances. And there are plenty of opportunities for him to do that in this show as the troubled John, who forms an unlikely, unnerving friendship with his neighbor - a friendship that promises to bring up some of John's own dark secrets.
Although Coldwater has just premiered in the US, it has been available in its domestic region of the UK and Ireland for months (it premiered on ITV and ITVX back in September), gripping viewers across a few weeks. But how has the response been from fans overall? We'll go with mixed, albeit leaning in the positive territory due to the performances.
The show has scored a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which means that it just about safely in the "Fresh" category - but one or two more negative reviews and it could find itself verging closer towards the "Rotten" bracket. And if you read the reviews, you can see why Coldwater has resulted in a lot of mixed feelings.
The US critics have been more positive towards the show, which really highlights how different audiences can appreciate things in different ways. Collider scored it 7 out of 10, praising the cast as well as its exploration of the "classic psychological thriller" while also pointing out that the last two episodes "strain belief". Decider enjoyed the "entertaining weirdness", saying that "even if the show isn't all that good, it might still be fun to watch".
On the UK side of things, the response was much more mixed, as the apparent issues with the show - which US critics thought added to the unique tone of the show - weren't overlooked here at all. The Independent UK awarded the show just 2 out of 5 stars, calling it "rushed and schlocky". Although Daily Mail praised the bravery in some of its subject matter, it criticized the story of Coldwater for being "just not believable". The I Paper gave it just one star, calling it "simply dreadful".
All in all, it sounds like Coldwater is an immersive experience - it's just up for debate as to whether it's an objectively good one. We will say that, even if the mixed response might be disappointing for some, there was so much praise directed towards Andrew Lincoln's performance - as well as the performances of all the cast members - and that's wonderful to read.
As for what comes next for the TWD star? Well, it might just be a return to The Walking Dead Universe. In an interview with BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg in September, he confirmed that there are currently discussions about bringing him back as Rick Grimes in some capacity. Right now, how that could happen remains unclear as The Ones Who Live wrapped Rick's story up, but with the final season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and a rumored crossover spinoff both potentially on the horizon, there are opportunities for it to happen. Here's hoping that it does!
Coldwater is now streaming on Paramount+ in the US and ITVX in the UK.