Netflix’s latest drama, The Waterfront, has swiftly become a standout hit, captivating audiences with its unique blend of family turmoil, crime, and high-stakes drama set against the backdrop of a declining fishing industry. Created by Kevin Williamson, the mastermind behind iconic series like Dawson's Creek and Scream, the show skillfully merges the emotional depth of a soapy relationship drama with the brutal thrills of a crime saga, delivering a fresh take on the “family empire” genre reminiscent of Ozark, Yellowstone, and Succession.
Set in the fictional coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina, The Waterfront centers on the Buckley family’s struggle to keep their fishery business afloat amid mounting debts and dangerous criminal entanglements. The patriarch, Harlan Buckley (played by Holt McCallany), is a hard-drinking, womanizing man with a serious heart condition who finds himself pulled back into the family’s murky past despite his desire to retire peacefully. After suffering two heart attacks, Harlan’s incapacitation forces his wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) to dive headfirst into illicit drug deals to save their legacy.
Harlan’s character is complex and morally ambiguous. While he initially wanted to leave the fishery’s criminal history behind in the 1980s, his health issues and the family’s financial woes pull him back into the fray. Belle, a formidable presence, manages the family restaurant and the business’s darker dealings with a steely resolve. Despite a strained marriage marked by Harlan’s infidelity, Belle is determined to preserve the Buckley name and the family’s future, even if it means outmaneuvering her husband.
Cane, the Buckleys’ son, is caught in a difficult position. Once a promising college football player, he sacrificed his dreams to support the family business. His involvement in the drug trade is reluctant but driven by loyalty to his ailing father. Yet Cane’s journey is fraught with inner conflict; he embraces the criminal lifestyle only to find it ill-fitting and morally troubling. As creator Kevin Williamson told Variety, “He doesn’t really wear crime well... Cane’s going to have to stumble a bit. I don’t think he’s ever going to wear it well, and everything’s going to be a compromise for him, and everything’s going to be a moral dilemma.”
The family’s turmoil extends beyond the core trio. Bree Buckley (Melissa Benoist), Harlan and Belle’s daughter, is a recovering alcoholic trying to regain custody of her teenage son, Diller, after losing a custody battle. Her personal struggles add emotional depth to the series, showcasing the toll the family’s chaotic lifestyle takes on each member. Bree’s attempts to rebuild trust and her complicated relationship with her brother Cane, whom she despises for his choices, add further layers to the drama.
The show’s supporting cast enriches the narrative with their own secrets and conflicts. Jenna Tate (Humberly González), Cane’s high school sweetheart, returns to Havenport, stirring unresolved feelings. Shawn West (Rafael L. Silva), the new bartender at the family restaurant, is revealed to be Harlan’s illegitimate son and harbors a secret that could jeopardize the entire family business. His Taekwondo skills and mysterious background make him a wildcard within the Buckley saga.
Adding to the danger is Grady, portrayed by Topher Grace, whose chilling performance as a grinning, unhinged drug lord has drawn rave reviews. His sadistic nature and ruthless involvement in opioid smuggling escalate the stakes dramatically, culminating in a violent showdown where Cane shoots Grady through the face, effectively ending his reign of terror. Grace’s portrayal has been described as both a “Joker-type” chaos agent and a standout, earning praise for its intensity and dark humor.
Season 1 of The Waterfront, filmed between August and December 2024, premiered on Netflix in June 2025 to enthusiastic reception. The show quickly climbed to the top of Netflix’s TV ratings and has maintained strong word-of-mouth buzz. Critics have lauded its pacing, performances, and the deft way it balances melodrama with thrilling crime elements. One reviewer likened it to “Taylor Sheridan without the meandering subplots and heavy-handed moralizing,” praising its momentum and flair.
As the season closed, the Buckley family faces new challenges. The psychopathic Grady is out of the picture, but the Parker family—business rivals and new antagonists—loom large on the horizon. Belle has begun making deals with Emmett Parker (Terry Serpico), signaling a power shift that threatens to upend the family dynamics. Williamson confirmed that a major conflict in the anticipated second season will be the power struggle between Belle and Harlan for control of the family empire. “She’s just going to push him aside and do what she needs to do. The one thing that she states very clearly is she has earned the Buckley name, and she’s right,” he told Variety.
Meanwhile, Cane’s wife Peyton (Danielle Campbell) is poised to make a significant move after discovering Cane’s infidelity. Instead of walking away, she intends to change him from within the family business, setting the stage for complex developments. Campbell has described Peyton as a “powerhouse” who will take on a more active role, reflecting the show’s nuanced portrayal of women navigating a male-dominated criminal world.
Season 2, though not yet officially announced as of June 23, 2025, is highly anticipated. Williamson has mapped out storylines for multiple seasons and expressed eagerness to continue exploring these characters. If Netflix follows the previous production schedule, fans might expect a new season around summer 2026. The cast, including McCallany, Bello, Weary, and Benoist, are expected to return, with new faces from the Parker family and possibly Shawn’s boyfriend joining the fray.
The Waterfront stands out not just for its gripping plot but for its willingness to embrace the absurd and chaotic elements of its story without losing emotional resonance. The show’s ability to juggle family loyalty, betrayal, and criminal enterprise with dark humor and compelling performances has cemented it as a must-watch. As audiences await confirmation of a second season, the Buckleys’ turbulent saga remains one of Netflix’s most exciting offerings.
