Netflix dives deep into generational drama this summer with The Waterfront, a bold, emotionally charged new series premiering June 19, 2025.
Set in the stormy coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina, the eight-episode series charts the rise, fall, and reckoning of the Buckley family — longtime rulers of the local fishing industry and restaurant scene — as they fight to hold on to power in a community that’s changing faster than the tides.
Created by iconic showrunner Kevin Williamson (Scream, Dawson’s Creek, The Vampire Diaries), The Waterfront is both a gripping family saga and a Southern gothic thriller, where betrayal runs as deep as bloodlines and loyalty is never guaranteed.
A Family on the Brink
At the center of the series is Harlan Buckley (played by Holt McCallany), a hardened patriarch recovering from two heart attacks, whose absence has left a power vacuum. With Harlan sidelined, his wife Belle (Maria Bello) and their son Cane (Jake Weary) scramble to save the family empire — but their increasingly desperate decisions only push them further into dangerous territory.
Their daughter Bree (Melissa Benoist), a recovering addict who has lost custody of her son, returns to Havenport in search of redemption — and quickly finds herself entangled in a relationship that could put the entire family’s future at risk.
Watch the Trailer
A New Kind of Coastal Crime Drama
Inspired by real events and filmed on location in Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, The Waterfront captures both the beauty and tension of a coastal town defined by tradition, secrets, and high-stakes ambition. Kevin Williamson’s signature mix of sharp dialogue and layered storytelling is on full display, backed by a powerhouse cast and grounded by themes of legacy, identity, and resilience.
The show also features
- Rafael L. Silva
- Humberly González
- Danielle Campbell
- Brady Hepner
with guest appearances from
- Topher Grace
- Dave Annable
- Michael Gaston
- Gerardo Celasco
- Zach Roerig.
Behind the Scenes
Produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, The Waterfront brings together a creative team with deep TV pedigree. Williamson leads as writer, executive producer, and showrunner, joined by Ben Fast (Outerbanks Entertainment), Michael Narducci, and Marcos Siega, who also directs multiple episodes.
The series’ moody visuals, coastal setting, and high emotional stakes position it as one of Netflix’s most anticipated dramatic releases of the summer.
What to Expect from The Waterfront
If you’re a fan of character-driven thrillers like Bloodline, Ozark, or Outer Banks, The Waterfront should be on your watchlist. It’s equal parts family drama, slow-burn suspense, and Southern noir — a compelling portrait of a family at war with itself and the world around it.
With only eight hour-long episodes, the storytelling is tight, tension-packed, and full of unexpected turns. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your next binge-worthy obsession.
Series Details:
- Title: The Waterfront
- Premiere Date: June 19, 2025
- Episodes: 8 x 1 hour
- Creator / Showrunner / Writer: Kevin Williamson
- Executive Producers: Kevin Williamson, Ben Fast (Outerbanks Entertainment), Michael Narducci, Marcos Siega
- Starring: Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Jake Weary, Melissa Benoist, Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, Brady Hepner
- Guest Stars: Topher Grace, Dave Annable, Michael Gaston, Gerardo Celasco, Zach Roerig
- Produced By: Universal Television (Universal Studio Group)
- Filming Locations: Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina
The Poster
