Netflix will release all six episodes of the upcoming thriller miniseries Below globally on October 8, 2025, according to reporting by reuters.com. The coastal drama opens with a political conflict in a Canadian town before pivoting to mysterious events lurking near the harbor, blending climate change themes with creature-feature suspense.
The series takes place during Come Home Year, a real-life Newfoundland and Labrador tradition where former residents return for summer visits. That folksy family reunion fractures as an unidentified sea creature begins terrorizing the local fishing community, forcing residents to confront both an ecological crisis and a lethal predator.
Production Details and Location Filming in Newfoundland
Actor Josh Hartnett told reuters.com that filming on location in Newfoundland and Labrador was the most thrilling part of the project.
McKeown, who previously wrote for The Umbrella Academy, said Newfoundland is a “great place for something big and something kind of epic” and has been part of his life for many years. Hartnett signed on quickly after reading the first two scripts in under an hour, noting the “engaging” concept and clear voice. While he knew “weird historical bullet points” about the Vikings, 9/11, and the Titanic sinking, Hartnett told Postmedia he did not know the culture until reading the scripts and visiting the province.
During production, Hartnett was seen at a St. John’s bar helping visitors with “screeching in,” a ritual involving a shot of Newfoundland Screech, a verse, and kissing a frozen cod. He also shared experiences of whale-watching with humpbacks and practiced the local accent with Jimmy Fallon using the folk song “I’s the B’y.”
Cast members praise climate change themes
Dread Central noted that reviewer Matt Konopka praised the cast, atmosphere, and surprising gore after screening the first two episodes at TIFF.
Heaton is known for Stranger Things, while Campbell previously appeared in Halloween Ends as Corey Cunningham and in Silent Night, Deadly Night. Davis’s character, Howander, is the outsider of the group who arrives to determine what is killing the locals. Davis noted that addressing climate change was essential, stating it would be “absurd and insane” to omit, though she added the themes are balanced so the show does not feel “punishing to watch” or “didactic.”
To capture authenticity, the non-local actors relied heavily on the production’s local cast members. “If I didn’t know how to say something, I would check. I’d be like, is this OK? Are we doing an OK job? They were so supportive,” Charlie Heaton told reuters.com regarding the distinct regional accent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Below
When does Below premiere on Netflix?
Netflix will release all six episodes of Below globally on October 8, 2025, dropping the entire limited series at once rather than using a weekly rollout.
Who created the series and where is it set?
Canadian screenwriter Jesse McKeown created Below, which is set and filmed on location in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador during the traditional Come Home Year summer celebration.
What is Josh Hartnett’s role in the series?
Josh Hartnett stars as Calvin Penney, a stubborn, big-hearted Newfoundland fisherman who teams up with a visiting marine researcher played by Mackenzie Davis to protect his community from a mysterious sea creature.
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