Josh Hartnett Says He Wasn't Looking for TV Before Netflix's Below
Josh Hartnett was not hunting for a television gig. The actor told The Hollywood Reporter that he was actively avoiding TV roles after finishing a film and was planning to jump into another movie instead.
That changed when he read the script for the Netflix miniseries Below. Hartnett said he was so impressed by the thriller, created by Jesse McKeown, that he signed on despite his initial plans.
The story takes place in an isolated coastal town in Newfoundland. Hartnett's character, Calvin, must defend his family and neighbors from a frightening creature from the sea.
To prepare, Hartnett and co-star Charlie Heaton worked with a dialect coach to nail a local accent. Hartnett said he listened to a CBC radio show regularly to hear the region's many specific speech patterns.
He also compared the show to Apple TV's Widow's Bay, noting to THR that Below has a more human-focused tone and is less overtly comedic. The series also stars Mackenzie Davis and Natasha Henstridge.
