Netflix’s Below brings viewers to Snook’s Arm, a fictional Newfoundland fishing community threatened by a mysterious sea creature. But the town on screen is not a single real-world place with a matching name: production filmed across several Newfoundland and Labrador communities, with Brigus South among the locations most closely associated with the show’s transformation of a small coastal settlement. Official filming-location listings also name places including St. John’s, Pouch Cove, Bay Bulls, Harbour Main, and Twillingate.
The distinction matters for fans planning a visit. Snook’s Arm is the story’s setting; Newfoundland is the real province that supplied its coastlines, harbors, buildings, local talent, and working-waterfront atmosphere. The production’s footprint is broader than any one village, and not every location used in filming should be described as the exact real-life equivalent of the fictional town.
Why Brigus South is closely linked to Snook’s Arm
Brigus South, a small coastal community on Newfoundland’s Irish Loop, became one of the most visible real-world connections to Below. Reporting from the region described the production’s arrival as a major change for a place with a small year-round population. The show’s crew altered parts of the settlement’s appearance to fit the story’s period and fictional setting, including creating a church façade that looked different from the real building.
That kind of transformation is a familiar part of location filmmaking. A real building or street can appear briefly on screen, while set dressing, temporary façades, camera angles, and editing make it read as a different place. For residents, the experience can be both exciting and strange: familiar landmarks become part of a fictional world, and visitors may later arrive looking for the version they saw on television.
Still, Brigus South should not be treated as the only place that “became” Snook’s Arm. Netflix’s own filming-location information lists multiple communities and specific sites used by the production. The safest description is that Brigus South was a key location in a wider Newfoundland shoot.
Other real locations used for Below
The official Netflix in Your Neighbourhood filming map identifies several locations associated with Below, including:
- Brigus South: a coastal community on the Irish Loop, closely associated with the production’s small-town setting.
- St. John’s and surrounding areas: the region served as a broader production base, according to local production listings.
- Pouch Cove: a coastal community north of St. John’s, with a listed filming site at Marine Park.
- Bay Bulls: another coastal location included in the official map.
- Harbour Main: a community connected to the show’s local setting and bar scenes.
- Twillingate: a Newfoundland destination also listed among the production’s regions.
These places are not interchangeable tourist stops, and the official listing does not prove that every address is open to visitors or that a particular scene was shot at every listed site. Before making a special trip, check local access, opening hours, and any restrictions. Some locations may be private property or working facilities rather than attractions.
Real ocean, real coastline—and a fictional town
Netflix has said the production filmed ocean scenes on Newfoundland waters rather than relying entirely on green-screen backgrounds. Cast member Charlie Heaton described being out on the water with the Coast Guard and kayaking in the ocean during filming. Those practical locations help explain why the show’s landscape feels cold, exposed, and physically imposing.
The real setting also supports the series’ larger themes. Below follows a community facing economic uncertainty and pressure over its future, even before the supernatural threat escalates. Newfoundland’s fishing history, remote coastal geography, and close-knit outport communities give that fictional struggle a grounded backdrop. The monster is imaginary; the relationship between coastal communities and the sea is not.
That is also why the production’s local involvement matters. Netflix’s coverage describes the cast spending time with people from the region to better understand the culture and the rhythms of everyday life. Local knowledge can influence accents, behavior, and the details that make a fictional place feel less like a generic horror set.
Can fans visit the real Snook’s Arm?
Not exactly, because Snook’s Arm is the fictional town in Below. Fans can, however, explore Newfoundland communities associated with the production, including Brigus South and other places listed by Netflix’s filming-location map. Treat the trip as a visit to real communities rather than a theme-park version of the show: the villages have their own residents, history, and daily routines beyond the production.
For practical planning, start with the official Canadian filming-location map, then consult local tourism resources for current road access, public spaces, and visitor guidance. Do not enter private property, active wharves, or working marine facilities without permission.
Watch the official Below trailer
The trailer offers a glimpse of the fictional Snook’s Arm and the real Newfoundland coast that helped bring it to life.
Frequently asked questions
What real town became Snook’s Arm in Below?
Brigus South is one of the most closely associated real filming locations, but Snook’s Arm is fictional and the production filmed in several Newfoundland communities.
Was Below filmed in Newfoundland?
Yes. Netflix confirms the series was filmed in Newfoundland, Canada, including practical scenes on the ocean. The official Canadian filming-location map lists several communities and specific sites linked to the production.
Can you visit the Below filming locations?
Some public areas may be visitable, but access varies by site. Check local guidance before travelling, and respect private property and working harbors.
Is Snook’s Arm a real place in Newfoundland?
Snook’s Arm is the fictional town in the series. The show uses real Newfoundland locations to create its on-screen setting.
Sources and further reading
- Netflix Tudum: Below filming location, cast, and production details
- Netflix in Your Neighbourhood: official Below filming-location map
- Scene 49: Newfoundland locations behind Snook’s Arm
- Today in Canada: the Newfoundland community transformed for Below
- Reuters: cast discusses Newfoundland’s role in Below
By Shivam Das
