As a horror fan, I have to say Widow’s Bay really set the bar high this year – it’s easily one of the best shows of 2026. Now, Netflix is hoping to capture that same magic with their new small-town horror series, Below. Honestly, after all the buzz and praise Widow’s Bay received, expectations are incredibly high for what Netflix delivers.
As a huge fan of smart comedies, I was so excited to hear that Katie Dippold – the genius behind Parks and Recreation – created Widow’s Bay. It’s been a massive hit for Netflix, and they’ve already greenlit a second season! What’s even more interesting is how well it’s done with horror fans. This bodes really well for another upcoming series called Below, which comes from Jesse McKeown (who worked on The Umbrella Academy). It also features a fantastic cast and tells a similar story, but this time the setting is a secluded town in Newfoundland. I can’t wait to see what Netflix does with both of these shows!
Netflix’s Below Will Terrorize a Newfoundland Town in October
Premiering on Netflix on October 8, 2026, Below is a six-part series created by Jesse McKeown and Jessica Rhoades, known for their work on Black Mirror. The story centers around the people of a small Canadian town who are forced to defend themselves against a strange creature from the sea that’s disrupting their lives.
In a July 2026 interview with Tudum, the show’s creator, McKeown, shared his reasons for choosing a small Newfoundland fishing town as the setting for the story. He’s been visiting Newfoundland for years and always envisioned a project there, drawn to its distinctive scenery and the sense of remoteness, danger, and even a bit of fear it evokes.
The film Below blends the unsettling atmosphere of its remote location with a strong feeling of togetherness, featuring a large ensemble cast headed by Josh Hartnett (known from Oppenheimer) as Calvin Penney, a determined fisherman. He battles a frightening sea monster and, in the process, reveals the island’s hidden secrets.
Joining Hartnett are Charlie Heaton, known from Stranger Things, as Wade, Calvin’s son, and Mackenzie Davis (Halt and Catch Fire) as marine biologist Fonda Howander. The cast also includes Natasha Henstridge (Diggstown), Joshua Close (Wayward), Rohan Campbell (The Monkey), Ruby Stokes (Bridgerton), and Mary Walsh (Resident Alien). This talented group of actors is set to make Below one of the platform’s biggest and most exciting new series, building on a concept that has already proven successful.
Below and Widow’s Bay Share Many Striking Similarities
Below aims to tell a story filled with local folklore, suspense, and humor about a small town plagued by a mysterious creature. It shares similarities with Apple TV’s series, which also centers on the residents of a New England island terrorized by an unknown force that has cursed their home.
Both shows center around strong, determined leaders – Calvin Penney, a respected fisherman in Below’s Newfoundland, and Tom Loftis (played by Rhys), the mayor of Widow’s Bay in the Apple TV series. Both men are driven to protect their sons, and they each have a helpful, more experienced ally who assists them.
Both Widow’s Bay and the town featured in Below face terror stemming from the water around them. In Widow’s Bay, a curse prevents island natives from leaving by trapping them within an invisible ocean boundary, and residents are plagued by eerie fog and a frightening Sea Hag. Meanwhile, Below centers on a town battling an unknown creature of the sea, drawing heavily from traditional fishermen’s tales.
The new Netflix miniseries combines local folklore and psychological thrills with surprisingly touching humor, similar to the critically praised balance found in the show Widow’s Bay. Until then, Netflix’s Below is a great option for fans, though it might not get as much attention as the popular series on Apple TV.
2026-07-21 20:37