Netflix's Below has been making waves with its chilling blend of monster horror and family drama, and star Mackenzie Davis is already thinking about what could come next. In a recent interview, the actress shared her thoughts on the show's brutal ending, her deep connection to her character, and whether she'd suit up for another round in the remote Newfoundland village.
The six-part series follows Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett), a widowed fisherman who discovers that something sinister lurks beneath the water's surface. As the town faces pressure to sell their land, Calvin teams up with marine biologist Dr. Fonda Howander (Davis) to uncover the truth. The threat turns out to be a giant squid, driven to protect its young in waters made inhospitable by climate change—a twist that makes the creature more sympathetic than the corporate interests trying to displace the community.
Davis was drawn to the project because of its emotional core. "If you're scared of a monster, you're also scared for your family," she explained. "The relationships are the only important part. It's not about the object of the fear. It's about how a community is dealing with that fear." That focus on human connection is what elevates Below beyond a simple creature feature, and it's a theme that resonates across Davis's filmography, from Station Eleven to her upcoming projects.
One of the show's most effective choices was keeping the squid largely hidden, a decision Davis fully supports. "It's just a surefire way to lose people when you get to hold the entire thing in your eyes and be like, 'I don't buy it,'" she said. "It makes it seem so enormous to never be able to see around the whole thing." The mystery, she argues, is what keeps the terror alive.
Davis also praised the authenticity of the show's setting and characters, thanks to creator Jesse McKeown's deep ties to Newfoundland. "The script reflected such an intimacy with the culture and the people," she noted. "It's really easy to tell when you read a script if it's coming from a place of intimate knowledge or just somebody from a great distance trying to set their story in a kooky town. This one felt extremely grounded."
As for the finale, which left viewers reeling, Davis admitted she was "glad they didn't try to throw in a love story" between Fonda and Calvin. Instead, the show stayed true to its themes of survival and sacrifice. When asked about a potential Season 2, Davis was enthusiastic: "I'd be on board." She's also open to revisiting other beloved roles, including the world of Station Eleven, and is currently voicing Big Barda in the animated Mister Miracle series.
With its blend of ecological commentary and family drama, Below has carved out a unique niche in the streaming landscape. Fans of weird sci-fi shows will find plenty to love, and the door is wide open for more stories from this haunting coastal town.
