What to know
- Below secured 17 million views within less than a week of its Oct. 8 launch, becoming Netflix’s most-viewed Canadian series debut ever.
- The thriller reached No. 1 on Netflix’s English TV list across 53 countries and landed in the top 10 in 90 countries.
- Created by Jesse McKeown and starring Josh Hartnett, the series centers on a fisherman trying to save his Newfoundland town from a mysterious sea creature.
- Filmed on location across communities like St. John’s, Petty Harbour, and Pouch Cove over 75 days, the production partnered with over 650 local vendors.
Less than a week after its release, Newfoundland-based series Below has become the most-viewed Netflix debut for a Canadian title in the platform’s history.
The thriller limited series made its debut on Oct. 8. Since then, it has already reached a total of 17 million views on Netflix.
The impressive numbers have made Below the biggest debut of any Canadian title on Netflix, according to the platform.
Netflix also said the thriller is currently ranked No. 1 on the platform’s English TV List and across 53 countries. It is also currently featured on the top 10 most-watched in 90 countries.
South Korean dystopian series Squid Game currently holds the global record for views in its initial release window, with 142 million plays of over two minutes in the first 28 days of its release.
What is Below about?
Created by Toronto-born filmmaker Jesse McKeown, Below follows fisherman Calvin Penney (played by Josh Hartnett) as he tries to save his family and Newfoundland hometown from ferocious attacks by a mysterious sea creature.
The series premiered during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where the first two episodes of the series were screened.
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Newfoundland is more than just a mere set for the series, which takes place in the fictional town of Snook’s Arm. As expressed by the show’s cast members and creator, the narrative attempts to fully capture life in the province, which is reflected in every scene.
McKeown revealed to reporters during TIFF that the location of the series was important to him, as his wife is from Newfoundland.
The series was shot in Newfoundland and Labrador across communities like Pouch Cove, St. John’s, and Petty Harbour, and filming took about 75 days. According to Netflix, over 650 Canadian vendors were brought in as partners of the production.
