Below, a six-episode Netflix limited series, has sat at number one on the global TV chart in recent days. Here is what to know before you watch.
The Below Netflix series premiered on October 8, 2026. Netflix released all six episodes at once. Josh Hartnett, Mackenzie Davis, and Charlie Heaton lead the cast. Jesse McKeown created the show.
What Is the Below Netflix Series About?
The story follows Calvin Penney, a stubborn but big-hearted fisherman in a small Newfoundland town. His father died mysteriously decades ago, and Calvin still carries that loss. Then an unknown sea creature starts attacking the town.
Calvin must work to keep his close community together. According to Metacritic, he teams up with a marine researcher played by Mackenzie Davis. Together, they try to protect his family and hometown.
Netflix says the show blends folk legends, tension, and warm humor. Its themes include family, community, and change.
Who Stars in Below?
Josh Hartnett plays Calvin Penney. Mackenzie Davis plays Dr. Fonda Howander, the marine researcher. Charlie Heaton plays Wade Penney.
The Penney family roles also include Ruby Stokes as Mary, Rohan Campbell as Jay, and Willow Kean as Ruth. Kaleb Horn plays Noah Townsend. Mary Walsh also appears in the supporting cast.
How the Series Was Made
Jesse McKeown created the show and also serves as writer and showrunner. Netflix ordered the six-episode series in February 2025.
Production took place in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Jamie Childs, Helen Shaver, and Stephen Dunn each directed two episodes. Episode titles include Come Home Year and The Unfathering Deep.
The series also had a preview screening in the Primetime program at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.
How Viewers and Critics Are Reacting
FlixPatrol tracks Netflix’s daily global charts. Below ranked number one among TV shows on October 9, 10, 11, 14, and 15. Netflix’s own weekly top 10 for the week of October 5 also named Below among its most-watched titles.
Reviews have been generally positive. One review listed on Metacritic says the plot sometimes drifts and the series casts its net too wide. The same review adds that many scares are predictable but still effective.
What to Know Before You Watch
Below carries a TV-MA rating, so it targets adult viewers. It runs six episodes, and all of them are available now. Netflix labels it a limited series.
Editor’s Note
A short limited series is easy to finish in a weekend. That often helps a show climb the charts quickly.
The Below Netflix series also blends a creature story with a family drama and some humor. That mix may explain why it appeals to a wide audience. Either way, the numbers show many viewers are choosing it right now.
This information is accurate as of October 15, 2026, based on Netflix’s global chart for that day.
According to TV Insider, What’s on Netflix, Metacritic, FlixPatrol, Netflix Tudum, and Wikipedia
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