Actor Charlie Heaton has uncovered an amusing parallel between his breakout role in Stranger Things and his latest project, the Netflix monster-horror series Below. Reflecting on his career in a recent promotional clip shared by Netflix, Heaton realized that both television series begin with his character preparing breakfast.
The 32-year-old British actor stars as Wade Penney in Below, a six-episode limited series set in a remote Newfoundland fishing community threatened by a mysterious sea creature. The series premiered globally on Netflix on October 8, 2026. While discussing the project, Heaton noted this recurring motif in his opening television introductions.
“My first opening scene on Stranger Things and my opening scene on this, I’m cooking breakfast, and I just realized that,” Heaton shared in the video.
When a co-star playfully asked what draws him to cooking breakfast on screen, Heaton responded simply, “It’s wholesome. I like eating breakfast.”
From Hawkins to a Newfoundland Fishing Village
This breakfast coincidence highlights a distinct shift in Heaton’s acting portfolio, moving from the fictional supernatural town of Hawkins, Indiana, to the harsh coastal landscapes of Newfoundland. In Stranger Things, Heaton played Jonathan Byers, a quiet, protective older brother navigating dark forces. In contrast, his character in Below-Wade Penney, the eldest son of a stubborn fisherman played by Josh Hartnett-leans into a more unhinged persona characterized by an affinity for off-roading on ATVs and hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Despite differences in tone and character temperament, both series anchor Heaton within tight-knit family dynamics dealing with looming monstrous threats. Created by Jesse McKeown, Below quickly climbed the streaming charts following its October premiere, securing strong placement on Netflix’s weekly Top 10 lists and drawing favorable reviews from critics for its brisk pacing and atmospheric Newfoundland setting.
Charlie Heaton’s Career Evolution
Before achieving international fame in 2016, Heaton began his career as a musician, performing with bands such as Comanechi and Half Loon. He transitioned into acting with guest television roles and commercials before landing his breakthrough in the Duffer Brothers’ sci-fi phenomenon.
Over the years, Heaton has expanded his resume across film and television, starring in psychological thrillers like Marrowbone (2018), the horror film Shut In (2016), and playing Sam Guthrie (Cannonball) in Fox’s superhero horror film The New Mutants (2020). With Below, Heaton continues to explore the horror and suspense genres that have defined much of his acclaimed on-screen career.
