Below makes Netflix ratings history as season 2 chances continue to grow

It's been quite the year for limited series on Netflix, and the streaming service just nabbed another monster hit in October 2026. Josh Hartnett leads the cast of the Canadian mystery thriller limited series Below, about a fisherman and his family confronting the past and future of their homeland as they become terrorized by a deadly, territorial, and massive sea creature.

After the show's first four days of availability on Netflix, Below debuted at No. 1 on the streaming service's Global Top 10 English-Language TV Shows ranking with 17 million views. Those numbers were already enough for the show to become the most-watched Netflix series debut, but following the first full week of availability, the show rised and increased its possibility for season 2.

Below becomes Netflix's most-watched Canadian show in a week

On Oct. 20, Netflix revealed the Global Top 10 TV Shows for the week of Oct. 12-Oct. 18, and Below once again took the top spot. However, the show's views increased enough to solidify its standing from the previous week and take the title as the most-watched original Canadian title in a single week. In week 2, Below brought in an impressive 21.2 million views. That's a big win!

It's worth noting that Netflix has continued to refer to Below as a limited series, but it's hard to look at these numbers and the show's continued popularity without seeing the obvious potential for a second season to be in the cards. The six-episode season even ended with an ominous teaser that Snook's Arm's challenges with sea creatures and icebergs might not be over yet.

Below creator Jesse McKeown spoke about the season-ending imagery that some fans took as a cliffhanger, saying that he didn't intend for the ending to hint that a second season was in the works. McKeown viewed the ending as a happy one that meant Calvin and his family "get to live to fight another day," though it's also an easy way to continue telling this story.

Hartnett also chatted with Men's Health about the possibility of Below season 2, and doubled down on the limited series being just that—limited. Still, the actor suggested that if the show was a "massive hit," he would be open to playing Calvin Penney again. Hartnett put it plainly by saying, "For me, the door's not closed, but it's a limited series." He also confirmed talks haven't happened (yet).

It's safe to say that after two weeks of released, Below has entered the "massive hit" territory. Netflix hasn't yet shared any indication that a second season could be in the works as of this writing, but the streaming service isn't one to shy away from bringing back a hit worthy of revisiting. Most recently, the streamer renewed last year's Emmy-winning "limited" series The Beast in Me for season 2.

In a time when certain Netflix new releases aren't performing as well as expected and with a number of established drama series like The Night Agent and The Lincoln Lawyer coming to an end next year, it wouldn't be unfounded or unexpected for the streamer to reverse course with Below and approach McKeown about turning his limited series into an ongoing series.

We'll have to keep our fingers crossed for some good news straight from the source and continue to track the show's viewership success. Stay tuned for more Below updates!

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