British actor Charlie Heaton is stepping away from the quiet, protective demeanor of his breakout television persona to take on a more aggressive and volatile character in Below, a hit science fiction series streaming on Netflix. Set in a remote, rugged Newfoundland fishing village threatened by a mysterious sea creature, the six-episode limited series arrived on October 8, 2026. It quickly climbed the streaming charts, drawing 17 million viewers at its debut to set a new record for a Canadian Netflix production.
In the series, Heaton plays Wade Penney, the bold, restless, and slightly unhinged oldest son of a stubborn fisherman portrayed by Josh Hartnett. Unlike his long-running role as Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things, Heaton’s character in Below is defined by a love of hallucinogenic mushrooms, off-roading on ATVs, and a brash energy that marks a distinct departure from his previous work.
Stepping Away from Hawkins
Following the conclusion of Stranger Things, Heaton has been intentional about diversifying his portfolio. After wrapping up the sci-fi phenomenon, he quickly jumped into a multi-episode arc on the fourth season of HBO’s Industry before transitioning directly to Below. Speaking on his career trajectory, Heaton noted that working on Industry allowed him to use his natural British accent again after years of playing American characters. This transition was aided by his UK agent, Ollie Azis, who sought out homegrown projects to help him return to his native voice.
Joining Below felt like a natural evolution for the actor, who was immediately drawn to creator Jesse McKeown’s script. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Heaton described the project as having a “Spielbergian warmth” embedded in local folklore. While the series leans heavily into suspense and creature-feature tropes-with Mackenzie Davis starring alongside Hartnett and Heaton as a visiting marine researcher-Heaton found deep personal connections to the setting.
Immersing Himself in Newfoundland Culture
To capture the authentic spirit of Snook’s Arm, the fictional town at the heart of the series, the cast and crew filmed entirely on location in Newfoundland, avoiding green screens in favor of practical coastal environments. Heaton spent time outside St. John’s soaking up local culture, noting the unique warmth and hospitality of the residents. He recounted a memorable evening during production when his driver invited him to a family dinner after a long day on set, an experience that mirrored the tight-knit community dynamics depicted on screen.
Adapting to the regional dialect presented a distinct challenge due to how drastically the Newfoundland accent shifts from bay to bay. With only three weeks to prepare while still in London, Heaton utilized YouTube videos, podcasts, and local radio broadcasts to master the cadence before stepping onto set.
A Shared Theme of Family Dynamics
Though Below shares thematic elements with Stranger Things-specifically small-town settings and investigations into terrifying, unexplainable phenomena-Heaton finds that his characters’ underlying familial ties are what truly anchor their arcs. In Below, the dynamic shifts from sibling protection to a complex father-son relationship alongside Hartnett’s character.
Critical reception for the series has been largely positive, holding an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 30 reviews. Reviewers have praised its brisk six-episode pacing and atmospheric blend of local myth and thriller suspense. For Heaton, the project represents an exciting step forward as he continues to challenge himself with mature, complex roles, followed closely by an upcoming lead role in Netflix’s anticipated Peaky Blinders sequel series alongside Jamie Bell.
