Netflix's latest crime drama, The Waterfront, has made an impressive splash since its June 19, 2025, premiere, swiftly climbing to the top of Netflix's Top 10 TV list. Created by Kevin Williamson—renowned for his work on Scream, Dawson’s Creek, and The Vampire Diaries—the series blends family drama with crime in the fictional coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina.
The show centers on the Buckley family, owners of a local fishery that has long been the economic backbone of Havenport. Despite their prominence and the jobs they provide, the family is deeply in debt. Cane Buckley (played by Jake Weary), who has taken over running the fishery from his father Harlan (Holt McCallany), finds himself in a precarious position when two fishermen die at sea on his boat. To cover up the incident and manage their financial troubles, Cane and his mother Belle (Maria Bello) hatch a drug-running scheme—though, as viewers quickly learn, they’re far from seasoned criminals.
This fish-out-of-water dynamic gives the series a somewhat lighter tone, especially in its first half, as Cane stumbles through the dangerous underworld. Weary’s portrayal of Cane balances likability with frustration, making it compelling to watch him realize the depth of the hole he’s helped dig for his family. Meanwhile, Cane’s affair with his high school sweetheart Jenna (Humberly González) adds little tension, often described as tedious, but it underscores the personal conflicts that ripple through the family.
Harlan, the family patriarch, is a complex figure. Once involved in the drug trade himself—his own father was killed by a rival family—he has since retreated into a life of drinking and affairs, which Belle seems to tolerate. When Cane’s missteps force Harlan back into the criminal fray, he quickly discovers that navigating the crime world is no simple task.
The crime elements of The Waterfront are often repetitive, with frequent confrontations involving their corrupt local sheriff, Clyde Porter (Michael Gaston), and later, Grady (Topher Grace), a desperate and somewhat unconvincing antagonist. These back-and-forth power struggles, peppered with threats and ultimatums, occupy much of the show’s limited eight-episode run but rarely advance the plot in meaningful ways.
In contrast, Belle’s legal maneuvering to sell a family waterfront property introduces a more nuanced subplot. She secretly negotiates with real estate developer Wes Larsen (Dave Annable) and embarks on an affair with him, adding layers of personal and business conflict. This storyline, blending morality with survival, provides some of the season’s most compelling drama and sets the stage for a dramatic season finale.
Another standout character is Bree Buckley (Melissa Benoist), Cane’s estranged sister. Struggling with addiction and alienated from her son Diller (Brady Hepner), Bree partners with DEA agent Marcus Sanchez (Gerardo Celasco), whom she knows from Alcoholics Anonymous, to bring Cane down. Benoist delivers a nuanced performance, capturing Bree’s vulnerability and accountability as she seeks redemption and reconciliation with her son.
Adding to the ensemble is Rafael L. Silva, known for his role in 911: Lone Star, who makes his major debut in The Waterfront as Shawn, a bartender at the Buckley family’s upscale restaurant. Shawn’s character brings a fresh energy and a quiet yearning for connection that contrasts with the Buckleys’ turbulent world. Silva's portrayal hints at deeper layers to come, suggesting that if the series is renewed, Shawn’s role could expand significantly.
While family drama is the show’s beating heart, some interpersonal storylines falter. Cane’s affair, for example, is widely seen as dull, yet unexpected moments of humanity emerge—such as Peyton, Cane’s wife, sharing a poignant moment with Jenna, and Diller’s growing empathy toward Bree. These glimpses of tenderness help balance the darker themes and keep viewers engaged.
However, the show’s villain, Grady, falls flat. Though Topher Grace’s performance injects some charisma, the character’s motivations feel underdeveloped and disconnected from the main narrative, almost as if he belongs to a different series. This shortcoming is partly due to the eight-episode format, which leaves little room to fully flesh out antagonists, a common challenge for contemporary streaming dramas.
Despite its flaws, The Waterfront shines brightest when focusing on the Buckley family’s internal struggles. Their complex relationships, fraught with loyalty and betrayal, are what give the series its emotional weight. The creator, Kevin Williamson, has already envisioned three seasons, hinting at potential growth and deeper exploration of these dynamics.
Critically, the show has received a mixed reception, with some reviewers calling it entertaining yet repetitive. It currently holds a rating of 7/10, reflecting its solid but not outstanding debut. Nevertheless, the audience response has been enthusiastic, with the show quickly becoming Netflix’s top series and a must-watch for summer 2025.
For viewers eager to continue exploring the crime family drama genre, Netflix’s acclaimed series Ozark offers a natural follow-up. Premiering in 2017 and starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, Ozark delves into the dark underbelly of money laundering and family survival in the Missouri Ozarks. With an 82% critic score and 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s a compelling series that paved the way for shows like The Waterfront.
Both The Waterfront and Ozark explore tight-knit communities ruled by powerful families, though their approaches differ. While Ozark follows outsiders trying to carve a place in an established ecosystem, The Waterfront focuses on a dynasty fighting to maintain its grip. The themes of crime, betrayal, and family loyalty resonate strongly in both, making Ozark a perfect companion series for those hungry for more.
Interestingly, Kevin Williamson’s personal experiences inspired The Waterfront, lending the series an authenticity that critics and viewers alike have noted. Variety described it as a "highly bingeable family soap," while Slate drew comparisons to the popular series Yellowstone, praising its portrayal of small-town power struggles and deep-rooted secrets.
As the first season concludes, the Buckleys remain the focal point, their tangled relationships and ambitions driving the story forward. If Netflix renews the series, as seems likely given its popularity, fans can expect the family drama and crime elements to deepen, potentially addressing some of the pacing and character development issues seen in season one.
In a crowded field of crime dramas, The Waterfront stands out for its blend of family dynamics, regional authenticity, and a cast led by Holt McCallany, Melissa Benoist, and Topher Grace. While it may not yet have reached the critical heights of predecessors like Ozark, its strong audience engagement and creator’s vision suggest it could grow into a defining series for Netflix.
For now, viewers can stream all eight episodes of The Waterfront on Netflix and dive into the turbulent world of the Buckley family, where loyalty is tested, secrets simmer beneath the surface, and the line between family and crime blurs in the coastal town of Havenport.
