Netflix has officially released Below, a six-episode supernatural thriller series set against the rugged and isolated backdrop of Newfoundland, Canada. Created by Jesse McKeown, the series combines atmospheric horror, family drama, and local myth as a remote coastal community faces a terrifying threat emerging from the ocean.
The story centers on Calvin Penney, played by Josh Hartnett, a stubborn fisherman living in the struggling community of Snook’s Arm. Still haunted by his father’s mysterious death from decades ago, Calvin finds his hometown on the verge of disappearing as residents debate a government-sponsored resettlement vote. Economic struggles and historical tensions are quickly overshadowed by a terrifying ecological anomaly when an oily iceberg drifts into the harbor, followed by missing vessels, bloodied remains, and an aquatic creature capable of sinking ships.
Determined to keep his family safe, including his unhinged son Wade, played by Charlie Heaton, Calvin teams up with Dr. Fonda Howander, a visiting marine researcher portrayed by Mackenzie Davis. Together, the pair attempt to uncover the truth behind the island’s buried secrets before an impending community reunion turns deadly.
Cast and Production Details
Alongside Hartnett, Davis, and Heaton, the ensemble cast features Willow Kean as harbormaster Ruth Penney, Ruby Stokes as Mary Penney, Rohan Campbell as Jay Penney, and Kaleb Horn as Noah, alongside appearances from David Wenham and Natasha Henstridge.
Creator Jesse McKeown drew inspiration for the project from his connection to Newfoundland, aiming to capture both the warm humor of its residents and the stark isolation of the landscape. The series is written by Karen Walton, Perry Chafe, and Natty Zavitz, with episodes directed by Jamie Childs, Helen Shaver, and Stephen Dunn. Executive producers include showrunner McKeown alongside Jessica Rhoades, Chris Hatcher, Josh Hartnett, Jamie Childs, Louise Sutton, and Sharon Hall.
Episode Guide and Streaming Information
All six episodes of Below are available for streaming on Netflix. The narrative unfolds across a tight, fast-moving arc:
- Episode 1 (“Come Home Year”): Calvin welcomes his family home for a long-awaited reunion just as an unexpected arrival makes waves throughout Snooks Arm.
- Episode 2 (“Crown and Anchor”): Calvin teams up with Dr. Fonda Howander to investigate strange events while Wade wrestles with unsettling dreams.
- Episode 3 (“Sir John Franklin”): Mysterious newcomers arrive in town as Fonda warns residents of an escalating nautical threat.
- Episode 4 (“The Ocean Will Have Us All”): Outsiders draw Calvin into a dangerous hunt as an unseen danger closes in on his family.
- Episode 5 (“Little Pot Rock”): Calvin uncovers shocking truths about his past and Fonda makes a startling discovery.
- Episode 6 (“The Unfathering Deep”): With an evacuation order underway, Calvin, his family, and Fonda devise a risky plan to save their town.
Reviewers have compared the atmospheric pacing and creature-feature elements to a modern cross between classic maritime thrillers and community survival dramas. All episodes of Below are currently streaming globally on Netflix.
