Walton Budgell’s Dark Role in ‘Below’ Revealed

Anyone who has completed ‘Below’ on Netflix is likely still pondering the character of Walton. He arrives late in the story, exudes an odd friendliness, and ultimately becomes one of the most pivotal figures in the entire narrative. If you’re curious about who Walton is, you’re asking the right question.

Netflix describes Walton Budgell as an old friend of Calvin who reconnects with his childhood buddy after Wade washes ashore on a seemingly deserted island. However, this warm description conceals a much darker role in the series finale. Here’s everything you need to know about Walton in ‘Below’.

Walton is the childhood friend of Calvin Penney, adding emotional depth to their reunion. Calvin, portrayed by Josh Hartnett, is a fisherman residing in Snook’s Arm. His son Wade finds himself on a small island believed to be abandoned, where he is taken in by three residents: Walton, his father, and his daughter Maggie.

Decades ago, while other locals left the island, Walton and his family chose to remain. This decision makes him a living connection to the painful history that haunts the Penney family.

Shawn Doyle plays Walton Budgell in this Canadian supernatural thriller. Andy Jones portrays Walton’s father, while Marthe Bernard takes on the role of Maggie. Together, these three actors create the peculiar family that Calvin and Wade encounter.

The six-episode series premiered on Netflix on October 8, 2026, and was created by Jesse McKeown, known for his work on ‘The Umbrella Academy’. Critics have generally responded positively to the show.

However, not everyone is convinced. TV Guide argued that the series struggles to define its identity. Nevertheless, the island scenes featuring Walton remain among the most discussed moments of the season.

Little Pot Rock is the island the Penneys fled from forty years prior, and it is where the Budgells chose to stay. Calvin is shocked to discover his father’s grave while on the island, which serves as both a burial ground for family history and a hiding place.

This backstory ties into a larger conflict within the show. The Crockers, a wealthy merchant family, own the local fish plant and much of the town, and they have long sought to resettle Snook’s Arm. This relocation effort is revealed to be a cover for the Crocker corporation to exploit the island’s resources.

According to Netflix Tudum, McKeown drew inspiration from actual resettlements in Newfoundland, which impacted many families in the area. This real-world context enhances the significance of Walton’s determination. Walton, his father, and Maggie refused to leave in 1986 and seem to have a special understanding with the creature.

The most significant twist involving Walton is related to his daughter. The Old Hag haunting Wade is revealed to be a young woman named Maggie, Walton’s daughter. The show uses misdirection to create an illusion of the supernatural, but she is indeed a real person.

Walton’s beliefs take a disturbing turn. He believes that the creature Mudder has marked Wade for Maggie, so they can have a child together. Calvin fears that Wade might be sacrificed once that child arrives. Walton also expresses his desire to find a mate for Maggie to continue their family legacy.

The evidence supporting Walton’s beliefs is tenuous. The circular mark on Wade’s back resembles a sucker mark from a giant squid, indicating that Mudder had grabbed him and released him. Walton interprets this as proof that Wade was chosen.

In the end, Walton’s plan unravels. Wade chooses his father over Maggie, rescuing Calvin when Walton attempts to attack him. The two escape together, leaving Maggie’s heartbroken cries echoing across the ocean. As McKeown explains to TIME, the finale is about Calvin finally seeing everything clearly, with Walton playing a significant role in what he must confront. So, was Walton a desperate father trying to protect his family on Little Pot Rock, or was he the true monster of Snook’s Arm all along?