Netflix is bringing a new supernatural thriller to screens later this year. The series Below stars Josh Hartnett and comes from the creator of The Umbrella Academy. The show has already generated significant buzz since Netflix announced its release date and shared first-look photos on July 14, 2026. Here is the complete breakdown of the release schedule, story details, cast information, and where to watch this six-episode limited series.
Below Gets October 2026 Release Date on Netflix
Netflix confirmed that Below will premiere on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The streaming platform announced the launch date alongside first-look images featuring the main cast. The series was initially announced in January 2025 under a working title before Netflix revealed the official name and details.
All six episodes of Below will be available to stream on the same day. This means viewers can watch the complete story without waiting for weekly releases. The show is a limited series, meaning it tells a complete story within its six-episode run.
Filming for Below took place on location in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Production ran between July and October 2025. The show incorporates local talent, with Newfoundland writers and directors contributing to the production.
What Is Below About? The Story Explained
Below follows Calvin Penney, a fisherman living in a small Newfoundland town. Josh Hartnett plays Calvin, a big-hearted but stubborn man who remains haunted by his father’s mysterious death from decades ago.
The town faces a new threat when an unidentified sea creature begins terrorizing the community. Calvin must protect his family and hold his close-knit community together. He teams up with a visiting marine researcher named Fonda Howander, played by Mackenzie Davis. Together they confront the creature and work to reveal the island’s buried secrets before it is too late.
Creator Jesse McKeown described the series as blending local myth, suspense, and humor. The show explores themes of family, community, and change. McKeown drew inspiration from genre movies by Steven Spielberg and John Carpenter. He wanted to create something that captures both the terrifying isolation and the warmth of Newfoundland.
Josh Hartnett explained what attracted him to the project. He said:
“It tapped directly into a feeling I’ve been having, that I’m sure is not unique, that the powers that determine our lives are so far removed from us as people that it’s hard to even imagine being able to affect meaningful change for ourselves and the people we love.”
He added that the story offers wish fulfillment as the characters come together to fight against terrifying forces.
Below Cast: Who Stars in the Netflix Thriller
Below features a strong ensemble cast with familiar faces from popular Netflix shows and films.
Josh Hartnett leads the cast as Calvin Penney. Hartnett is known for his roles in Trap, Penny Dreadful, and Oppenheimer. He also serves as an executive producer on the series.
Charlie Heaton plays Wade Penney, Calvin’s son. Heaton is widely recognized for his role as Jonathan Byers in Stranger Things.
Mackenzie Davis portrays Fonda Howander, a marine researcher who visits the community. Davis has appeared in Station Eleven, Blade Runner 2049, and The Martian.
Ruby Stokes plays Mary Penney. Stokes is known for her work in Bridgerton.
The cast also includes Rohan Campbell as Jay Penney, Kaleb Horn as Noah, and Willow Kean as Ruth Penney. Kean is a Newfoundland native who has appeared in The King Tide and Away From Everywhere.
Mary Walsh appears in the series as the town’s mayor who also owns the local bar.
Who Created Below?
Jesse McKeown created Below and serves as the showrunner. McKeown previously wrote episodes for The Umbrella Academy and The Sinner. He grew up in Newfoundland and always wanted to set a project there.
The executive producer team includes Jessica Rhoades, Chris Hatcher, Josh Hartnett, Jamie Childs, Louise Sutton, and Sharon Hall.
The writing team features local Newfoundland talent including Perry Chafe (Saint-Pierre). Other writers include Karen Walton (Orphan Black) and Natty Zavitz (Edging). Directors include Jamie Childs (The Sandman, His Dark Materials) and Helen Shaver (The Penguin, Station Eleven). Stephen Dunn (Closet Monster) also directed episodes.
Where to Watch Below
Below will stream exclusively on Netflix. The series will be available globally on the platform starting October 8, 2026. All six episodes will drop at once, making it easy for viewers to binge the entire story.
Each episode runs approximately 45 minutes. The show is described as a thriller that blends mystery, suspense, and supernatural elements.
Netflix has not yet released an official trailer for Below. However, the streaming platform shared first-look photos on July 14, 2026, giving audiences a preview of the show’s atmosphere and cast.
Episode Release Schedule for Below
Below consists of six episodes that will all release on October 8, 2026. Netflix is releasing every episode at the same time, so there is no weekly waiting period between episodes.
The episodes are part of a limited series, meaning the story wraps up within these six installments. This format allows the creators to build a complete narrative without leaving viewers hanging for another season.
Creator Jesse McKeown explained that the limited series format allowed the team to tell a bigger story with more characters and unexpected turns. He noted that it is not just a straightforward man versus creature story.
What Makes Below Different from Other Monster Thrillers
Below stands out because it combines creature feature elements with a deeper story about community and resilience. McKeown said the series is more than just a monster thriller. The show uses its six-episode format to build a whole community and explore how people come together in times of crisis.
The Newfoundland setting plays a key role in the series. McKeown described the location as rugged, isolated, and scary, but also warm and full of eccentric people. The show taps into local legends and the unique culture of the region.
Hartnett’s character Calvin has experienced significant loss, including the deaths of his father and wife. Despite these hardships, he maintains a sense of humor and a strong moral compass. Hartnett described Calvin as someone with a hard exterior who is ultimately soft-hearted and full of love for his family and community.
The show was developed with local Newfoundland writers and directors on the production team. This ensures the series authentically represents the region and its people.
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What to Expect from Below
Viewers can expect a suspenseful thriller that blends supernatural elements with human drama. The show features a mysterious sea creature terrorizing a small town, but the real story focuses on how the community responds to the threat.
The series explores themes of family, loss, and resilience. Calvin Penney must protect his son Wade and the rest of his family while confronting his own past. He teams up with a marine researcher to uncover the truth about the creature and the island’s buried secrets.
Josh Hartnett described the show as offering wish fulfillment, as ordinary people come together to fight against overwhelming forces. Creator Jesse McKeown wanted to make something big and strange that captures both the terrifying and warm aspects of Newfoundland.
Below arrives on Netflix on October 8, 2026. All six episodes will be available to stream immediately. The series offers a complete story in one release, perfect for viewers who want to dive into a gripping thriller without waiting for weekly episodes.
Also Read: A Different World Sequel Series: Release Schedule, Cast, Story, and Streaming Details
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