Josh Hartnett will star as a fisherman battling a mysterious sea creature in the upcoming Netflix limited series "Below" [1].
The production marks a high-profile entry into the suspense genre for the streaming platform, blending creature-feature elements with a character-driven mystery set in Canada [1].
Set in Newfoundland, Canada, the series follows Calvin Penney, a local fisherman [1]. The story explores Penney's struggle with a creature lurking in the nearby waters while he confronts a haunted past [2].
Jeff Sneider said, "Calvin Penney is a big‑hearted but stubborn fisherman living in a small Newfoundland town, who's still haunted by his father’s mysterious death from decades ago" [3]. The narrative focuses on the intersection of these buried family secrets and the physical threat posed by the entity in the ocean [2].
Netflix has scheduled the series to premiere on Oct. 8, 2026 [1]. The project is structured as a six-part limited series [1].
According to Hollywood Outbreak, Hartnett faces both the terrifying sea creature and the secrets of his family throughout the suspenseful thriller [2]. The series aims to balance the atmospheric tension of the Newfoundland coast with the psychological weight of Penney's history [3].
Gizmodo said the series features a fisherman who battles not just his troubled past, but a mysterious creature that is lurking in the waters [4].
“Josh Hartnett faces a terrifying sea creature and buried family secrets.”
The casting of Hartnett in a localized, atmospheric thriller suggests Netflix is leaning into high-concept, limited-run narratives that combine genre horror with prestige drama. By utilizing the rugged geography of Newfoundland, the series positions itself to capitalize on the 'folk horror' and isolated-setting trends that have seen success in recent streaming hits.
