Josh Hartnett really did kiss a codfish while preparing for Netflix’s Below—but the moment was not a stunt invented for the sea-monster thriller. It was part of Newfoundland’s famous “screech-in,” a playful ceremony that welcomes visitors into the province’s culture. Hartnett described taking part during his first week in Newfoundland, where he arrived early to learn the local way of life and prepare to play fisherman Calvin Penney.
In an interview with USA TODAY, republished by AOL, Hartnett recalled that the fish was frozen rather than freshly caught. He joked that he had expected a much smellier experience. The detail captures the spirit of the ceremony: a little awkward, intentionally silly, and memorable enough to become a story visitors take home.
What is Newfoundland’s “screech-in” ceremony?
A screech-in is a well-known Newfoundland welcome ritual often performed for visitors. Depending on the host and the version of the ceremony, it can involve a shot of Newfoundland rum—commonly called Screech—repeating a local phrase, and kissing a codfish. The ceremony is a humorous way of inviting a newcomer to feel connected to Newfoundland and its traditions.
It is important to understand the context: this is a cultural welcome ritual, not a requirement for every visitor and not a ceremony that every Newfoundlander performs in the same way. Many people encounter it at pubs, events, or tourist experiences. Its playful tone is part of the point.
Why Hartnett’s codfish kiss mattered for Below
Below follows Calvin Penney, a Newfoundland fisherman whose community faces a mysterious threat from the sea. The six-episode Netflix thriller stars Hartnett alongside Charlie Heaton and Mackenzie Davis. Its story leans on the region’s fishing heritage, close-knit communities, distinctive speech, and relationship with the ocean.
Hartnett did more than learn lines. Netflix’s official Tudum interview describes how he spent time with local actors, listened to a Newfoundland radio program featuring people discussing fishing, and learned about the region’s history. He also got to know local fishermen and practiced tying fishing nets. These experiences helped ground a fictional character in a real working culture.
The real fishing history behind the joke
The codfish is not just a funny prop in the screech-in. Cod fishing shaped Newfoundland’s economy, settlements, food, and identity for generations. The collapse of northern cod stocks and the 1992 moratorium devastated coastal livelihoods, with consequences that reached far beyond fishing boats and processing plants. For many families, fishing was both a source of income and a defining part of community life.
That history gives Below a deeper backdrop than a simple monster mystery. The show’s fictional town is wrestling with economic pressure and an uncertain future even before the supernatural danger intensifies. Hartnett’s preparation—talking to locals and learning about the region—helps connect the drama to the people and place that inspired it.
Watch the official Below trailer
The codfish story is a real behind-the-scenes detail, while the sea creature and the town’s crisis belong to the series’ fictional plot. Watch the official trailer below for a look at the world Hartnett and his co-stars bring to the screen.
Did Josh Hartnett really kiss a codfish?
Yes. Hartnett said he took part in a Newfoundland screech-in during his first week in the province. His account says the cod was frozen, which made the experience less pungent than he had anticipated.
Is the codfish kiss a tradition for all Newfoundlanders?
No. The screech-in is a popular, often tourist-facing welcome ritual, and practices vary. It should not be treated as a universal custom followed by every resident.
Where can you watch Below?
Below is available on Netflix’s official series page. It stars Josh Hartnett, Mackenzie Davis, and Charlie Heaton and is set in a fictional Newfoundland fishing community.
Bottom line: Hartnett’s codfish kiss is more than a funny celebrity anecdote. It shows how the cast of Below engaged with Newfoundland culture while preparing for a story built around fishing, community, and the mysteries of the North Atlantic.
Sources
- USA TODAY interview with Josh Hartnett (via AOL)
- Netflix Tudum: Josh Hartnett interview
- Netflix Tudum: Below cast, plot, and production details
By Shivam Das
