Andrew Lincoln has built one of the most versatile careers of his generation. From cult British dramas to Hollywood romcoms to leading the world’s biggest zombie saga, he has proved that he can be everyman, romantic, anti-hero and broken survivor. Here’s a countdown of his 10 best performances, ranked not only by fame but by impact, craft and fan affection.
Rick Grimes — The Walking Dead (2010–18; 2024)
The role that defined his career. As small-town sheriff Rick Grimes, Lincoln gave television one of its most complex protagonists. He transformed from idealistic lawman to brutal leader, charting grief, rage and fragile hope with startling depth.
• Why it matters: Rick became an icon of post-apocalyptic storytelling.
• Awards: Saturn Awards (2015, 2017).
• Fan impact: Rick’s speeches (“We are the walking dead”) are quoted across fandom, and Lincoln’s departure in 2018 was mourned globally.
Edgar “Egg” Cooke — This Life (1996–97)
Before zombies, there was Egg. In this BBC cult drama about young lawyers in London, Lincoln played the indecisive, often confused Egg, struggling with identity and adulthood.
• Why it matters: Egg was the face of a generation of twenty-somethings trying to find themselves in the 1990s.
• Critical response: The show was hailed for its realism and messy humanity. Egg remains one of Lincoln’s most beloved British characters.
Mark — Love Actually (2003)
One of cinema’s most debated romantic gestures: Mark, silently confessing love for his best friend’s wife with handwritten cue cards. Lincoln’s performance is subtle, melancholy and restrained.
• Why it matters: The scene is iconic, even if divisive. Love it or hate it, it cemented Lincoln in Britain’s romcom canon.
• Cultural impact: Every Christmas, memes and debates resurface about whether Mark was romantic or problematic.
Simon Casey — Teachers (2001–03)
As Simon Casey, Lincoln captured the chaos of a young teacher more interested in pub nights than lesson plans. The show was cheeky, fast-paced and deeply of its era.
• Why it matters: It showed Lincoln’s comic timing and ability to embody exasperated everymen.
• Legacy: Teachers made him a household name in Britain before The Walking Dead.
John — Coldwater (2025)
Lincoln’s return to British television came with Coldwater, ITV’s moody Scottish thriller. Playing John, a man with a dark secret trying to restart his life, Lincoln gave a raw, unsettling performance.
• Why it matters: His most daring role in years, involving vulnerability, nudity and psychological depth.
• Reception: Critics were divided on the show but agreed Lincoln’s presence gave it gravitas.
Edgar Linton — Wuthering Heights (1998, ITV)
In ITV’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic, Lincoln played Edgar Linton, the genteel foil to Heathcliff’s passion.
• Why it matters: Showcased his ability to handle period drama and literary adaptations.
• Performance: His Edgar was tender, tragic and quietly dignified.
Hugh Collinson — Strike Back (2010, Sky1)
Before Rick Grimes, Lincoln starred in the first series of Strike Back as Hugh Collinson, a complex officer with divided loyalties.
• Why it matters: Demonstrated his knack for action drama just before his American breakthrough.
• Critical note: His morally ambiguous Collinson set the tone for a franchise that became a global hit.
Dr. Robert Bridge — Afterlife (2005–06, ITV)
Lincoln played psychologist Dr. Robert Bridge opposite Lesley Sharp in this supernatural drama. The series explored grief, trauma and the paranormal.
• Why it matters: Showed Lincoln’s ability to anchor high-concept drama with emotional realism.
• Fan response: A cult favourite, with many still clamouring for a revival.
Mr. Pink — Gangster No. 1 (2000, film)
In this violent British crime drama, Lincoln played a supporting role as Mr. Pink.
• Why it matters: Though not a lead, it gave him experience in gritty, stylised cinema.
• Performance: A reminder of his versatility beyond television.
Various Voices — Narration & Stage
Lincoln has also lent his voice to documentaries and returned to stage projects periodically. His narration has been praised for warmth and clarity, while his stage work at RADA and beyond remind us he is, at heart, a classically trained actor.
• Why it matters: Demonstrates longevity and breadth across mediums.
Honourable Mentions
• Moonshot (2009) — As astronaut Michael Collins.
• Heartbreaker (2010) — French romcom role that displayed his international versatility.
• The Ones Who Live (2024) — His Walking Dead return deserves its own place, but Rick Grimes already sits at the top of this list.
Conclusion: A career of vulnerability and range
Andrew Lincoln’s strength has always been vulnerability. Whether Egg, Mark, Simon, Rick, or John in Coldwater, his characters are defined by cracks: men who falter, men who doubt, men who break. That’s what makes him relatable, and what sustains a career that bridges cult British drama, global blockbuster TV, and now, mature thrillers on home soil.
At 52, his top roles may still be ahead. But for now, these ten performances chart the arc of a man who has grown up on screen alongside us — a career as messy, surprising and human as the characters he plays.
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