Josh Hartnett is making a splash this fall with a new Netflix thriller that pits him against a terrifying creature from the deep. After a relatively quiet year and a half, the actor is back in a big way, following his roles in M. Night Shyamalan's Trap and the action-comedy Fight or Flight. He's also set to star in the upcoming Colleen Hoover adaptation Verity alongside Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson. But before that erotic psychological thriller hits theaters, Hartnett is heading to the rugged shores of Newfoundland for Below, a haunting limited series that blends family drama with suspense.
The show casts Hartnett as Calvin Penney, a stubborn but warm-hearted fisherman still haunted by his father's mysterious death decades ago. Living in a tight-knit Newfoundland town, Calvin's quiet life is shattered when an unknown sea creature emerges, terrorizing the community. To protect his family and neighbors, he teams up with a visiting marine biologist to uncover the island's dark secrets. Netflix has just dropped the official trailer, giving us a glimpse of the chaos this monster unleashes.
The trailer opens with idyllic scenes of Calvin's life—his love for his town, his family, and the sea. But the mood quickly turns ominous as a strange presence is detected in the water. The creature doesn't just cause physical destruction, ripping houses into the depths; it also takes a psychological toll on the residents. Like Chief Brody in Jaws, Calvin struggles to convince everyone of the danger, but his own son—played by Stranger Things alum Charlie Heaton—seems drawn to the sea in a chilling moment. Keeping his loved ones safe won't be easy.
Heaton's role in Below is one of two major Netflix reunions for the actor. He's also set to join the Peaky Blinders sequel series, playing one of the Shelby heirs. Alongside Hartnett and Heaton, the cast includes Mackenzie Davis, Ruby Stokes, Kaleb Horn, Rohan Campbell, and Willow Kean. The six-episode series was created by Jesse McKeown, a writer from The Umbrella Academy, who also serves as showrunner. Hartnett is an executive producer, along with Jessica Rhoades, Chris Hatcher, Jamie Childs, Louise Sutton, and Sharon Hall.
McKeown's decision to set the series in Newfoundland was deeply personal. He told Tudum, "I've been coming to Newfoundland for many years, and it's become a part of my life. I just always felt like I wanted to set something here." He described the landscape as "rugged, dangerous, isolated, and scary" but also noted the warmth and eccentricity of the communities. This unique blend of beauty and menace is sure to make Below a standout thriller.
For fans of the genre, Below joins a rich tradition of mystery thrillers that nail it from opening frame to final credits. And if you're looking for more chilling content, check out our list of three must-watch Netflix shows to binge this week. Below premieres on Netflix on October 8. Watch the trailer above to see Hartnett's battle with the deep.
