Below holds top spot in global Netflix rankings

A mysterious sea creature has taken center stage on Netflix as the Josh Hartnett-led series Below holds the top spot in global rankings.

The show's eerie portrayal of small-town life in Newfoundland has captured viewers' attention, and its striking Canadian backdrop is a key element in the thriller's success.

The drama pulls from real-world issues, including the impact of climate change on Atlantic Canadian sea life. The government's efforts to resettle remote fishing towns also feature prominently in the show.

This is not just fictional storytelling; it is rooted in history, with over 300 towns in Newfoundland having been resettled since 1954 and continuing to this day.

The production designer, Emmanuel Fréchette, was drawn into the project by this unique aspect of Newfoundland's past.

The production team behind Netflix's hit series Below needed to find a suitable location for the show's fictional setting, a remote coastal town in Newfoundland. To get a feel for the area, they visited St. John's Christian's Pub, where they met a charismatic bartender with a unique routine and speech that left a lasting impression.

The production designer, Emmanuel Fréchette, was thrilled to be working on this project, drawing inspiration from the province's unique architecture. The team encountered practical challenges in filming due to the remote locations, so they decided to build most of the sets themselves, which allowed Fréchette to exercise his skills as an architect.

The homes featured in the show are characterized by their low ceilings and humble design, reflecting the resourcefulness and self-sufficiency of the people who built them. According to Fréchette, this vernacular architecture is a testament to the ingenuity of those who had to build structures without the benefit of modern architectural expertise.

As the production team delved deeper into the province's culture and history, they discovered that the town of Snook's Arm was actually resettled in 2017, with only 10 residents remaining. However, its remote location made it difficult for filming, so the nearby town of Brigus South took center stage instead.

The show's portrayal of life in a small coastal town has resonated with audiences worldwide, with searches for St. John's and other Newfoundland locations increasing significantly since the series' release.

Filming in Newfoundland required a deep connection to the water, according to the production team's location scout, Fréchette. The crew opted for locations with direct access to the sea, as seen in the series' depiction of an inlet stretching into the land.

The production team designed and built around 80% of the sets featured in the show, including a fish plant, Fishermen’s Hall, and wharf. This was necessary to transform the coastal town into the setting for the series. The crew's efforts paid off as the town took on a new identity for its close-up.

To prepare the town for filming, the production team built structures that would be seen in the series. They also modified existing buildings to fit the show's needs. One such location was an old house that served as the Penneys' home, which was retained and augmented with additional features.

The capital city of St. John's served as the home base for the cast and crew during filming of Netflix's hit series 'Below'. While some members of the team stayed in hotels or rented homes, others were based here, taking advantage of the city's amenities.

One notable location within the Ocean Sciences Centre, situated about 30 minutes north of downtown St. John's, was a marine research center where Dr. Fonda Howander worked. This striking structure caught the attention of viewers and became an iconic part of the series.

In addition to the Ocean Sciences Centre, another significant setting for the show was Pouch Cove, a town with around 2,000 residents located at the top of the Avalon Peninsula. The art director discovered a historical building here that had been closed due to fundraising efforts to preserve it.

The production team visited this site and temporarily transformed it into the interior of Below's Fisherman's Hall while permanently restoring it for the community.

The production team's attention to detail extended beyond the exterior sets, as they also recreated the Budgell family's homes on a custom-built basis. This meant that every dwelling seen in the show was built specifically for Below, rather than using existing structures.

In addition to these interior scenes, the cast and crew explored some of Newfoundland's natural wonders during their shoot. One notable excursion took them along the East Coast Trail, which stretches over 300 kilometers along the province's rugged coastline.

The picturesque fishing village of Bay Bulls was another key location for Below. This charming community boasts an impressive claim to fame: it is home to North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony, attracting tourists and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The surrounding waters also make it a prime spot for whale watching.

Further up the coast, the production team utilized Pennecon Marine Base as a functional hub for their research vessel. Although this location never appeared on screen, its industrial harbor played a crucial role in accommodating the boat's substantial draft of nearly 10 feet. This allowed the cast and crew to safely board and disembark from the vessel.

The town of Brigus was also an important stop during filming, particularly with regards to Pittman's fish farm. While Calvin confirmed that the sea creature featured in the show was indeed real, it's worth noting that the location used for these scenes was actually a landlocked lake rather than the ocean itself. This creative decision allowed the team to avoid the challenges posed by tides and storms.

The production team of Netflix's hit series 'Below' had to get creative when it came to filming certain scenes in Coastal Newfoundland. Since there wasn't a real fish farm on location, they built a custom floating dock and cabin for the show.

The exterior shots of Linda's Bar were actually taken from a retrofitted home in Brigus South, while its interior was filmed at the Rising Tide Convenience shop in Harbour Main, about 33 miles southwest of St. John's. The local business, known for its homemade ice cream, was dressed up to match the show's specifications.