Netflix has officially released the main trailer, along with promotional posters, for its upcoming six-part supernatural thriller series titled Below. Set to premiere globally on October 8, 2026, the limited series is anchored by a high-profile ensemble cast featuring Josh Hartnett, Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton, Ruby Stokes, Kaleb Horn, Rohan Campbell, and Willow Kean. Created and showrun by veteran screenwriter Jesse McKeown, the production blends elements of local folklore, atmospheric tension, and environmental dread against the rugged backdrop of Canada’s eastern coast.
The plot centers on Calvin Penney, portrayed by Josh Hartnett, a stubborn and big-hearted fisherman residing in a remote, close-knit Newfoundland community. Plagued by the unresolved, mysterious death of his father decades prior, Calvin’s life is further upended when a colossal, ancient iceberg drifts into the local harbor. Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, the massive structure harbors an unidentified, prehistoric sea creature. As the ice slowly melts, the entity is unleashed, terrorizing the coastal village and threatening Calvin’s family, particularly his son Wade, and the traditional way of life that sustains the community.
In his battle to protect his neighbors, Calvin forms an uneasy alliance with a visiting marine researcher, played by Mackenzie Davis. Together, they attempt to unravel the creature’s origins and uncover the deeper, buried secrets of the island before the unfolding catastrophe destroys the town entirely. The narrative explores universal themes of family preservation, communal resilience, and unavoidable, terrifying environmental shifts.
Production Background and Filming Locations
The series was filmed entirely on location in and around St. John’s, Newfoundland, capitalizing on the dramatic coastal geography, unpredictable weather, and authentic maritime culture of the region to establish an immersive visual tone. The choice of Newfoundland serves as both a narrative anchor and a tribute to the distinct storytelling traditions of Atlantic Canada.
Development on Below has been spearheaded by Pacesetter Productions. Jesse McKeown, known for his work on acclaimed dramatic and genre series such as The Sinner, The Umbrella Academy, The Romeo Section, and Robson Arms, serves as creator, showrunner, and executive producer. The writers’ room includes notable industry talents Perry Chafe, Karen Walton, and Natty Zavitz, ensuring a layered script that balances character-driven drama with high-stakes supernatural suspense.
Directorial duties for the six-part limited series are shared among Jamie Childs, Stephen Dunn, and Helen Shaver. Meanwhile, the executive producing roster includes a heavy-hitting team featuring Jessica Rhoades, Chris Hatcher, Josh Hartnett himself, Jamie Childs, Louise Sutton, Sharon Hall, and Jesse McKeown.
Chronology of Releases and Marketing Rollout
The promotional campaign for Below has been meticulously paced by Netflix to build steady anticipation ahead of the fall streaming window.
Early Teaser Phase: Netflix initially debuted a brief teaser trailer offering audiences their first atmospheric glimpse of the chilling coastal setting, the imposing iceberg, and Josh Hartnett’s weather-beaten protagonist. The teaser established the ominous tone without revealing the full scope of the creature.
Official Trailer Debut: Released on September 10, 2026, the full-length trailer provides a much clearer narrative framework. It showcases the arrival of the iceberg, the unfreezing of the ancient marine entity, the ensuing chaos within the fishing village, and the collaborative efforts of Hartnett and Davis to confront the threat.
Poster and Promotional Assets: Alongside the full trailer, Netflix unveiled two primary promotional posters emphasizing isolation, oceanic dread, and the psychological weight of the characters’ pasts.
Global Streaming Premiere: The complete six-part limited series is scheduled to debut on Netflix on October 8, 2026, positioning it as a major tentpole release for the platform’s autumn horror and thriller slate.
Industry Context and Genre Trends
The release of Below arrives during a notable period for maritime and environmental thrillers within the streaming and film landscapes. Coincidentally, nautical themes and massive glacial set pieces have seen a resurgence in prominent media projects throughout 2026, including high-profile cinematic endeavors such as Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s upcoming film Digger, starring Tom Cruise, which also features thematic ties to ice and excavation.
For Josh Hartnett, Below continues a career resurgence marked by selective, high-profile television and film roles that lean into complex, grounded character work mixed with genre thrills. Paired with Mackenzie Davis—whose genre credentials include acclaimed turns in Station Eleven and Terminator: Dark Fate—the series benefits from a proven caliber of lead performances capable of anchoring fantastical premises in genuine emotional realism.
Furthermore, the series reflects Netflix’s ongoing strategy of investing in localized, distinct regional stories with global appeal. By utilizing authentic Canadian settings, creative teams, and Newfoundland’s rich storytelling heritage, Below aims to offer a fresh perspective on monster mythology that avoids generic genre tropes in favor of deep-seated community dynamics and generational trauma.
Broader Implications and Audience Expectations
As streaming platforms increasingly rely on finite, serialized event television to drive subscriber engagement during the competitive fall viewing season, limited series like Below serve as crucial retention tools. The six-episode format allows for a focused, fast-paced narrative arc that delivers cinematic production values without the prolonged pacing issues often associated with open-ended television.
With a creative pedigree boasting veterans from critically lauded psychological dramas and sci-fi epics alike, Below holds significant potential to bridge the gap between prestige character drama and creature-feature entertainment. Critics and audiences will be watching closely to see how effectively the series balances its ambitious supernatural premise with the intimate, claustrophobic realities of a small-town maritime community fighting for survival.
Netflix will make all six episodes of Below available for streaming worldwide starting October 8, 2026.
