How Josh Hartnett and His Co-Stars Tackled a Notoriously Difficult Newfoundland Accent on Netflix

The Newfoundland accent in ‘Below’ has quickly become one of the first things viewers raise after pressing play. Josh Hartnett stars as Calvin, a stubborn fisherman in a small Newfoundland town who is still haunted by his father’s mysterious death from decades ago. The dialect is part of the series from its earliest teaser.

The six episode limited series was created by Jesse McKeown and arrived on Netflix on October 8, with all episodes released at once. Because the show is rooted so firmly in place, understanding the Newfoundland accent in ‘Below’ means looking at how the cast prepared and how audiences have responded.

Why the Newfoundland Accent Matters

Hartnett said that shooting in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador was the “most thrilling” part of the project. In his view, the setting was what separated the series from a standard creature story. The accent is the most audible expression of that choice.

Hartnett also said he had never read anything set in Newfoundland before and did not understand the long history of the place as its own country with its own dialect. That admission helps explain why the speech patterns feel so deliberate on screen. The production treated the dialect as part of the setting rather than a flourish.

The production filmed entirely on location in Newfoundland rather than leaning on green screens or sound stages, and Hartnett reportedly spent months working with a dialect coach. The commitment to realism extended from the harbours to the vowels.

How the Cast Learned the Newfoundland Dialect

According to Netflix Tudum, Hartnett listened daily to a local radio station that featured fishermen discussing their trade, while Charlie Heaton spent time in bars outside the capital. Both actors leaned on immersion rather than classroom study alone.

The AV Club reported that the dialect in the series is specific and inspired by Irish speech, and that the cast worked with local dialect coaches including co-star Allison Kelly. One of the people behind the show commended the actors for having a limited amount of time to nail a notoriously difficult accent.

Local cast members played a visible role in that effort. Heaton said the Newfoundland performers were very supportive as he and others worked to grasp the accent. Hartnett has also told Extra TV that Heaton nailed his accent from the start, while the rest of the cast were not quite ready.

Critics Weigh In on the Accent Work

Reviewers have not agreed on how well the accents land. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the accent work sounds like an “unholy mixture of Irish, Scandinavian and Canadian.” The review added that Hartnett and Heaton, who attempt the most outlandish versions, are probably not note perfect.

IndieWire took a more playful view. Its critic called the accents magnificent, even as the review argued that the series gets stranded between goofy thrills and meaningful drama. Variety gently teased Hartnett’s attempt too, yet still described the series as a gripping watch.

Other outlets split further. The Verge found the accent work surprisingly authentic and funny, noting that East Coast viewers would feel right at home. JoBlo felt Hartnett’s attempt fell short, while Screen Rant questioned Heaton’s choice of a more conventional Irish accent for his character.

Viewers React to the ‘Below’ Netflix Series

Audience reaction has been just as divided. Some subscribers have called the accents “laughable,” and one viewer said Hartnett’s attempt is noticeably weak, especially beside scene partners who are local. The criticism tends to come from people who know the real sound well.

Not everyone has been distracted. Some viewers have praised the cast for committing to a Newfoundland sound. One reviewer allowed that the accents occasionally get wonky but found Hartnett’s version part of the show’s heightened local flavor and incredibly charming.

The trade off appears to have been intentional. The Hollywood Reporter argued that spending resources on filming in underrepresented parts of Newfoundland, rather than on better effects, was the correct call. Viewers who know the real Newfoundland sound are welcome to share in the comments whether Calvin’s voice rings true or pulls them out of the sea creature story.