Will ‘Below’ Return for More? What Netflix’s Sea Monster Thriller Means for Season 2

Netflix is set to release a new creature thriller just in time for Halloween, and it comes with a significant question. All six episodes of ‘Below‘ will start streaming on Thursday, October 8, featuring Josh Hartnett in a tale about a mysterious entity terrorizing a small Newfoundland town. Many viewers will likely be pondering the future of ‘Below’ season 2 even before they finish the first episode.

The answer to that question is more complex than a straightforward yes or no. Here’s everything we currently know regarding whether this fishing village horror story will receive another season, and why Netflix’s classification of the show is crucial.

At this moment, ‘Below’ has not been renewed for a second season. This means there is no confirmed continuation, no announcement regarding the writers’ room, and no official word from the streaming service about the show’s future.

It is also categorized as a limited series, indicating that there are no immediate plans for it to extend beyond its six-episode run. A German outlet covering the launch reached a similar conclusion, noting that Netflix presents it as a completed miniseries and that a second season has not been confirmed.

The timing of any decision is also worth considering. If the show is ever renewed, an announcement likely won’t come immediately after the premiere. For now, fans are in a wait-and-see mode.

In short, nothing is guaranteed, but nothing is off the table either. Other shows labeled as limited series have successfully returned for new seasons. Netflix has a history of transforming surprise hits into ongoing franchises, so strong viewership could quickly shift the narrative.

The way the project was pitched also suggests a self-contained narrative. When the series was initially greenlit, it was described as a six-part Canadian limited series focused on a mysterious sea creature haunting a remote town. This setup implies a complete story arc rather than the beginning of a long-running series.

However, a creature feature often leaves room for lingering questions. The central premise of ‘Below’ revolves around secrets of the island that have remained hidden for a long time, and stories based on buried secrets often leave threads unresolved.

So what is the show actually about? Hartnett portrays Calvin, a fisherman whose small village is under siege by a violent creature, while his son Wade, played by Charlie Heaton, begins exhibiting alarming new symptoms. Calvin is also haunted by the mysterious death of his father from decades past.

To uncover the truth, Calvin collaborates with a marine biologist named Fonda, played by Mackenzie Davis, to discover what lies beneath the surface. The official pitch promises a blend of tones, as the series combines local myth, suspense, and heartfelt humor while exploring themes of family, community, and change.

Creator Jesse McKeown has shared insights into why he opted for a limited format for this monster story. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he explained that constructing a traditional creature feature as a limited series allowed the team to develop the town’s vibrant population. This focus on character could also be a compelling reason for a return, as a community this rich would have numerous stories left to tell.

The cast is another significant factor contributing to the excitement. Hartnett not only stars but also serves as an executive producer alongside McKeown. He was clearly captivated from the beginning, stating to Netflix Tudum that he had never encountered anything like it before.

Davis and Heaton bring substantial genre credibility. Davis has appeared in ‘Station Eleven’ and ‘Black Mirror,’ while Heaton has portrayed Jonathan Byers on ‘Stranger Things’ since 2016. The ensemble cast also includes Willow Kean, Ruby Stokes, Rohan Campbell, and Kaleb Horn.

Behind the scenes, McKeown has a notable history with Netflix. He worked as a writer and producer on ‘The Umbrella Academy’ from 2019 to 2024, and the writers for ‘Below’ include Karen Walton, Perry Chafe, and Natty Zavitz. Early reports have even likened the show to other closed-setting supernatural favorites like ‘Midnight Mass’ and ‘From.’

The series also had a festival premiere before reaching audiences at home, debuting at TIFF on September 10 as part of the Primetime program before its Netflix release. If viewers respond positively as those comparisons suggest, the demand for more could escalate quickly.

For now, the fate of ‘Below’ lies in the hands of viewers and Netflix’s metrics. Would you like to see Calvin Penney and Fonda venture back out onto the water for another encounter with whatever lurks off Newfoundland, or should this sea monster tale remain a standalone story? What unanswered questions would you want a second season to address first?