Josh Hartnett’s ‘Below’ Sets a Record as Netflix’s Biggest Canadian Debut Ever

Streaming records usually belong to big-budget franchises or global phenomena, so it is notable when a story rooted in a small fishing town breaks one. Newfoundland has long been known for its music, its humor and its coastline. Now it can add a Netflix milestone to the list.

The limited series ‘Below‘ has become the most-viewed debut ever for a Canadian title on Netflix. It earned 17 million views from its October 8 premiere through Sunday evening, according to the streamer. It also took the top spot on the English TV list for the week of October 5 to 11.

The numbers stretch well beyond Canada. Netflix says the series reached No. 1 in 53 countries and cracked the top 10 in 90 countries. For a show built around a regional setting and a creature-feature premise, that is a remarkable level of global appeal.

The record gains more context next to other Netflix launches. The first season of the romantic comedy ‘Nobody Wants This’ debuted with 10.3 million views, while the historical drama ‘East of Eden’ opened with 6.5 million. ‘East of Eden’ later surged to 12.6 million views in its second week and finished second on the chart, but ‘Below’ still led the list.

Analysts noted that the series defied the gravity that usually applies to horror projects on Netflix. Its opening puts it above the middle of the pack for recent Netflix limited series debuts and in pursuit of the best performers. The lead actor clearly helped, but so did the novelty of the setting.

The show follows Calvin, a grieving fisherman played by Josh Hartnett, whose small Newfoundland hometown is terrorized by a mysterious sea creature. Charlie Heaton plays Wade, Ruby Stokes plays Mary, Rohan Campbell plays Jay and Mackenzie Davis plays Fonda Howander, a scientist. Together they face a threat that comes from the water.

Jesse McKeown, a Toronto-born filmmaker, created the 6-episode thriller. He has said he felt compelled to write the show for about 18 years, a long gestation that makes the record especially meaningful. The series premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last month before arriving on Netflix.

‘Below’ was shot in 75 days across Newfoundland and Labrador, filming in communities including St. John’s, Petty Harbour, Brigus South and Pouch Cove. Netflix says it hired more than 700 primary cast and crew and partnered with more than 650 Canadian vendors. That local footprint is a big part of the story the streamer is now telling.

Hartnett prepared for the role by watching documentaries about Fogo Island and listening to the CBC Newfoundland show ‘The Broadcast’. He has also said that fishermen in Petty Harbour taught him how to tie his own fishing nets. The result is a performance that leans on real local texture.

First trailer for ‘BELOW’, a new thriller series starring Josh Hartnett and Charlie Heaton. The series follows a fisherman who must protect his community when a sea monster terrorizes their remote town. Releasing October 8 on Netflix. https://t.co/WFcorbMg5m

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 28, 2026

Netflix often uses the limited series label loosely, so the success of ‘Below’ raises an obvious question about a second season. The ending of the first run has not been the subject of any official announcement, and Netflix has not said whether it will return to the town in the show. One writer noted that a strong debut makes a good case for more Canadian productions on the platform.

For now, the focus is on the milestone itself. A record for a Canadian title says as much about the audience’s appetite for regional stories as it does about the series. It also gives Canadian producers a powerful new benchmark.

Canada has sent actors and creators south for years, and ‘Below’ shows that a Canadian setting can anchor a global hit. The show’s success comes at a time when streamers are looking for distinctive stories that stand out in a crowded market. A thriller about a sea creature in a Newfoundland harbor certainly qualifies.

The result may also encourage Netflix to invest more in productions made in Canada, with local crews and local vendors. If the platform sees this kind of return, it has every reason to keep going.

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