Let me tell you something that feels both thrilling and deeply ironic: a Netflix series shot in one of Canada’s most remote provinces is set to debut this fall, and it stars a man who once had to be rushed to the hospital in the very place where the show was filmed. This isn’t just a story about a fisherman battling a sea monster—it’s a collision of fate, location, and the messy realities of making art in the modern age. What makes this particularly fascinating is how the narrative of BELOW seems to mirror the real-life chaos that surrounded its production. Josh Hartnett, the actor playing the beleaguered fisherman, was involved in a car accident last September in Newfoundland, the same region where the show was shot. It’s almost like the script wrote itself, isn’t it? Or maybe the sea creature was just waiting for the right moment to strike.
Newfoundland has long been a place where stories linger in the fog and the waves. This province, with its rugged coastline and hauntingly beautiful landscapes, has a way of making even the most mundane events feel mythic. But here we are, watching a fictionalized version of its struggle with the sea, while real-life drama unfolded just blocks away from the set. Personally, I think this duality says something profound about how we consume stories today. We want our entertainment to be epic, to feel like it’s happening in a world apart. Yet, the line between fiction and reality is getting blurrier, especially when the setting is as integral to the story as the characters themselves.
Let’s talk about the premise for a moment. A fisherman fighting to protect his family, community, and vanishing way of life against a menacing sea creature. On the surface, it sounds like a classic monster movie, but there’s something more at play here. The idea of a vanishing way of life isn’t just a plot device—it’s a reflection of real-world issues facing coastal communities everywhere. Climate change, overfishing, and the slow erosion of traditional livelihoods are all themes that could easily be woven into the fabric of this series. What many people don’t realize is how much of this narrative is rooted in the lived experiences of Newfoundlanders, who have watched their industries shift and shrink over decades. This isn’t just a story about monsters; it’s a story about survival, resilience, and the weight of history pressing down on small communities.
And then there’s Josh Hartnett. The man who once starred in blockbusters like Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down now finds himself in a situation where his personal life has become almost as compelling as his on-screen role. His accident in September wasn’t just a random event—it’s a reminder that even the most seasoned actors aren’t immune to the unpredictability of life. From my perspective, this adds a layer of poignancy to the show. Hartnett’s character is fighting for his family and his heritage, but the actor himself has recently faced a literal fight for his life. It’s a strange kind of parallel, and I can’t help but wonder if the production team saw this as a sign to double down on the themes of struggle and redemption.
What this really suggests is that storytelling in the 21st century is no longer confined to the screen. The real-world events surrounding a production can become part of its mythology, blurring the lines between the fictional and the factual. This isn’t just a Netflix series; it’s a cultural artifact that will be remembered not just for its plot, but for the bizarre synchronicity of its creation. And let’s not forget the broader implications: a show shot in Newfoundland is likely to bring more attention to the province, its culture, and its people. But will that attention be a blessing or a burden? I’ve seen too many places where tourism and media exposure lead to gentrification and the commercialization of local traditions. There’s a fine line between celebration and exploitation, and I hope BELOW doesn’t tip the scales too far in the latter direction.
In the end, this series is more than just entertainment. It’s a mirror held up to the complexities of modern life, where the stories we tell and the lives we lead are increasingly intertwined. As BELOW premieres this fall, I’ll be watching closely—not just for the spectacle of a sea monster, but for the deeper questions it raises about identity, survival, and the stories we choose to tell about ourselves.
