Josh Hartnett didn’t just put on a fisherman’s jacket to play Calvin Penney in Netflix’s Below. To make the Newfoundland character feel lived-in, the actor studied the region’s dialect, spent time with local people, learned practical fishing skills, and embraced the rhythms of life on the water.
The result is a performance shaped less by a dramatic makeover than by careful listening. Calvin is a weathered, stubborn fisherman trying to protect his family and a struggling coastal community. Hartnett’s preparation helped ground the show’s supernatural horror in a place with its own history, humor, and working traditions.
He studied Newfoundland speech instead of guessing at the accent
One of Hartnett’s most deliberate steps was listening to a Newfoundland radio program featuring fishermen and other locals. He reportedly tuned in daily to absorb the cadence and vocabulary, then worked with a dialect coach. The cast also practiced together so the Penney family would sound like people from the same community rather than actors using unrelated versions of a regional accent.
That detail matters because Newfoundland speech has a distinctive history. The province’s dialects reflect generations of settlement, including strong Irish and southwest English influences. A convincing performance requires more than adding a few colorful expressions; rhythm, emphasis, and the way people relate to one another all help make the voice believable.
Hartnett’s preparation was also about understanding the character’s relationship to work. Calvin is not simply a generic rugged hero. His identity is tied to fishing, local knowledge, and the economic pressures bearing down on his town. That makes his voice part of the character’s sense of belonging.
He learned from local people, not just from a script
Netflix’s Tudum coverage says Hartnett spent time with local actors and learned about Newfoundland’s culture and history. He also heard firsthand stories from people who had worked different jobs across the island. That kind of exchange gave him context for Calvin’s pride, bluntness, and deep attachment to home.
The series’ fishing-community backdrop is not just atmospheric decoration. Newfoundland’s cod fishery shaped generations of families, and the collapse of the cod stocks and the resulting fishing moratorium devastated many coastal communities. Hartnett has discussed learning about how industrial overfishing and restrictions affected local fishermen—not only their incomes, but also their identity.
That history echoes through Below. Calvin is fighting a creature, but he is also fighting the possibility that forces beyond his control will erase the place and way of life that define him.
Fishing skills and time on the water made the role more physical
Hartnett also got to know local fishermen and learned how to tie fishing nets. Those practical details may never announce themselves as a big “acting moment,” but they can change how a performer handles tools, moves on a boat, and occupies a scene. The aim is to make the work look familiar rather than newly learned.
He also took boating lessons. In Netflix’s interview coverage, co-star Charlie Heaton recalled Hartnett helping during boat scenes late in production, when confidence and safety on the water mattered. Hartnett, who grew up in Minnesota rather than a fishing village, also described spending time in a small boat and watching humpback whales during filming.
The cast built a believable family dynamic
Hartnett’s preparation extended beyond the mechanics of fishing. He built relationships with the actors playing Calvin’s children—Charlie Heaton, Ruby Stokes, and Rohan Campbell—and the group spent time together away from set. He has described shared meals and local outings, including fish and chips, as part of that experience.
Those bonds help the family scenes carry emotional weight. Calvin can be gruff and difficult, but the character’s fierce loyalty to his children is central to the story. The audience needs to believe that these people have years of shared history, old resentments, and affection that can survive an argument.
Why Hartnett’s preparation fits the tone of Below
Below mixes creature-feature scares with family drama and the pressure facing a remote community. The monster may be the show’s most obvious threat, but the story works best when Snook’s Arm feels like a real place with real people who have something to lose.
Hartnett’s approach was research-heavy, but not flashy: listen closely, learn from the people who know the place, practice the work, and build relationships with the cast. It doesn’t make him a real Newfoundland fisherman, and the fictional town is not a documentary portrait of the province. It does, however, give Calvin more specificity than a collection of flannel shirts and a rough voice could provide.
For viewers, that specificity is part of why the supernatural premise lands. The sea feels like a workplace, a source of livelihood, a family history, and a dangerous unknown—all at once.
Quick answer: How did Josh Hartnett prepare for Below?
Hartnett researched Newfoundland’s culture and fishing history, listened daily to a local radio program to learn the dialect, worked with a dialect coach, spent time with local actors and fishermen, learned to tie fishing nets, and took boating lessons. He also built an off-screen rapport with the actors playing his children.
Frequently asked questions
Did Josh Hartnett learn a Newfoundland accent for Below?
Yes. He listened to local radio and worked with a dialect coach. The cast also practiced together to make the family’s speech sound consistent.
Did Josh Hartnett learn real fishing skills?
He spent time with local fishermen and learned practical skills including tying fishing nets. These details helped him understand Calvin’s work and physical habits.
Was Below filmed in Newfoundland?
Yes. Netflix says the limited series was filmed on location in Newfoundland and Labrador, helping the production capture the region’s landscape and coastal atmosphere.
Did Hartnett take boating lessons for the show?
Yes. Netflix’s interview coverage reports that he took boating lessons, and co-star Charlie Heaton praised his support during boat scenes.
Is Calvin Penney based on a real fisherman?
Calvin is a fictional character. Hartnett’s research drew on real people, local stories, and the history of Newfoundland’s fishing communities to make the role feel authentic.
Sources and further reading
- Netflix Tudum: Josh Hartnett’s preparation for Below
- Netflix Tudum: Below cast, setting, and production details
- Reuters: The Newfoundland community behind Below’s atmosphere
By Shivam Das
