Netflix's new supernatural thriller Below is now streaming in full, with an all-star cast led by Josh Hartnett. The series follows a small town in Newfoundland, Canada, where residents of Snook's Arm face a threat from a mysterious sea creature. A down-on-his-luck fisherman must fight to protect his family and community from the beast he may have encountered as a child, as well as his vanishing way of life.
Who stars in Below?
Josh Hartnett leads the cast as Calvin Penny, often called Cal. Viewers first meet the character as a 10-year-old boy in the show's opening scene. That traumatic childhood event carries through the series' themes, and it is revealed through one of his son's conversations that Calvin has believed his family was cursed ever since. Despite this, he became a fisherman and works hard to keep his community and family afloat, even though most of his children have moved away. His past returns in the form of a dangerous sea creature.
Hartnett describes his character as 'gruff' and, though not a native of Canada, immersed himself in Newfoundland's culture and history for the role. Fans will recognise him from 2024's horror film Trap, as well as episodes of Black Mirror and The Bear. Early in his career he starred in Black Hawk Down, Lucky Number Slevin and 30 Days of Night.
Stranger Things and Bridgerton stars in supporting roles
One of Hartnett's on-screen sons is played by Stranger Things star Charlie Heaton. He is the son who stayed in their hometown, claiming it is to help their dad, though he gets into mischief in more ways than one. The Leeds-born actor played Jonathan Byers in the Netflix series and has also starred in The New Mutants and Industry. He is set to appear in a leading role in the upcoming Peaky Blinders sequel series.
Mackenzie Davis plays Dr Fonda Howander, a marine biologist Calvin teams up with to solve the underwater mystery. Davis says she based her character on real-life Newfoundland scientist Annie Mercier. Her credits include Black Mirror, Station Eleven and Netflix's The Undertow.
Virgin River star Rohan Campbell plays Calvin's youngest child Jay Penney, who appears to be doing well since moving away but is in trouble of his own. Calvin's daughter Mary Penney is played by Ruby Stokes, who has returned for the Come Home Year celebration with her long-time boyfriend. Stokes is from London and has appeared in BBC crime drama The Jetty, as well as Bridgerton, The Burning Girls and Lockwood and Co.
Calvin's sister Ruth, the town's harbormaster, is played by Willow Kean, who viewers might have spotted in Canadian crime drama Hudson and Rex. Natasha Henstridge plays Jan Hickey, the resettlement officer leading a vote dominating town chatter; her roles include The Secret Circle and Fallout. Australian actor David Wenham makes a recurring appearance as Steve Bruner, leading a mysterious expedition on a high-tech research vessel. Wenham played Faramir in the Lord of the Rings movies and has also starred in 300, a Pirates of the Caribbean sequel and the biopic Elvis.
Below is streaming on Netflix.
