Netflix’s latest crime thriller, The Waterfront, has taken the streaming world by storm, dominating charts and captivating audiences with its gritty tale of a North Carolina fishing family entangled in drugs and deceit. At the heart of this Southern gothic drama is Jake Weary, whose magnetic performance as Cane Buckley, the flawed yet charismatic son of the Buckley clan, has left viewers swooning. But a jaw-dropping revelation about Weary’s real-life roots has sent fans into a frenzy: he’s the son of Kim Zimmer, a four-time Daytime Emmy-winning soap opera legend who ruled daytime television as Reva Shayne on Guiding Light for over two decades. The shocking part? Most fans had no idea. Once you learn about the iconic TV personality who raised him, you’ll never watch The Waterfront the same way again. Here’s the full scoop on Weary’s breakout role, his famous mother, and the legacy that’s reshaping how fans see this rising star.

Jake Weary: The Breakout Star of The Waterfront

Released on June 19, 2025, The Waterfront is a high-octane crime drama created by Kevin Williamson, the mastermind behind Scream and Dawson’s Creek. Set in the fictional coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina, the series follows the Buckley family as their fishing empire crumbles under financial strain and moral compromises. Jake Weary, 31, stars as Cane Buckley, the son of patriarch Harlan (Holt McCallany) and matriarch Belle (Maria Bello), who takes desperate measures—including drug-running—to save the family business. Cane’s outward charm and inner turmoil make him a standout, with Weary’s performance earning praise for its intensity and nuance.

Weary’s portrayal of Cane is a departure from his previous roles, showcasing his ability to blend charisma with vulnerability. As Collider noted, “Weary’s Cane is a smoldering, dangerously charming figure who elevates the show’s family drama.” His scenes with co-stars Melissa Benoist (as sister Bree Buckley) and Danielle Campbell (as wife Peyton Buckley) crackle with tension, whether he’s navigating a love triangle with ex-flame Jenna Tate (Humberly González) or confronting the family’s criminal ties to drug lord Grady (Topher Grace). Fans on X have been vocal, with one post gushing, “Jake Weary is stealing every scene in The Waterfront. That guy’s got star power!” But it’s the revelation of his famous lineage that’s truly set the internet ablaze.

The Shocking Reveal: Kim Zimmer, Soap Opera Royalty

The bombshell dropped in a July 3, 2025, TV Insider interview, where Weary casually mentioned his mother, Kim Zimmer, sparking a wave of disbelief among fans. Zimmer, 70, is a television icon, best known for her role as Reva Shayne on CBS’s Guiding Light, where she won four Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress (1985, 1987, 1990, and 2006). Her portrayal of the fiery, complex Reva—a character dubbed “an absolute hot mess” by Weary—captivated audiences for over two decades, from 1983 to the show’s end in 2009. Zimmer’s commanding presence and dramatic flair redefined daytime television, making her a household name for soap opera fans.

Weary’s connection to Zimmer was a surprise to many Waterfront viewers, who took to X to express their shock. “Wait, Jake Weary’s mom is THE Kim Zimmer?! Reva Shayne?! Mind blown,” one user tweeted. Another posted, “I’ve been watching The Waterfront and had NO clue Jake’s mom was a soap legend. You can’t unsee it now!” The revelation adds a layer of intrigue to Weary’s performance, as fans now see echoes of Zimmer’s intensity in his work. Newsnhanh.com summed it up: “Jake didn’t just break into Hollywood—he was raised in it.”

Zimmer’s influence extends beyond her on-screen legacy. Weary’s father, A.C. Weary, was a director on Guiding Light and an actor in shows like One Life to Live and L.A. Law, making the Weary family a veritable entertainment dynasty. Jake himself got his start at 13, appearing on Guiding Light alongside his mother, a full-circle moment that shaped his career. In the TV Insider interview, Weary shared that Zimmer is his “biggest fan,” currently rewatching his earlier series Animal Kingdom on Netflix and offering feedback on his performances. “She’s the first person I talk to when something comes out,” he said, admitting he avoids watching his own work.

A Mother’s Legacy: Kim Zimmer’s Impact

Kim Zimmer’s career is a masterclass in longevity and versatility. Her role as Reva Shayne, a character known for her tumultuous love life and bold choices, was a cultural touchstone, earning her a devoted fanbase. Hello! Magazine noted that Zimmer’s four Emmys for Guiding Light cemented her as “a true soap icon,” with her performance shaping the genre’s emotional depth. After Guiding Light ended, Zimmer continued acting, reprising roles in One Life to Live and starring in the online soap Venice with Guiding Light co-star Crystal Chappell. Her 2023 film Bleeding Love, where she acted alongside Jake, marked a rare on-screen collaboration, with Weary expressing hope to work with her again, possibly in The Waterfront Season 2. “I’d love to work with her again,” he told TV Insider.

The connection between Zimmer and The Waterfront runs deeper than family ties. Creator Kevin Williamson, a self-professed Guiding Light fan, was particularly enamored with Zimmer’s Reva Shayne. In the TV Insider interview, Weary recounted a heartfelt moment on set: “I don’t think [Williamson] knew that I knew he was a fan of my mom’s until we were on set one day. He opened up and shared how watching the show was an integral part of his childhood, a connection to his family.” Williamson’s admiration raises the tantalizing possibility of Zimmer appearing in a potential Season 2, perhaps as a new character tied to the Buckley family’s drama. Fans on X are already speculating, with one post suggesting, “Kim Zimmer as a Buckley matriarch? Netflix, make it happen!”

Jake Weary’s Rise to Stardom

Jake Weary’s journey to The Waterfront is a testament to his talent and tenacity. Born into a showbiz family, he could have leaned on his parents’ connections, but he carved his own path. His early role on Guiding Light at 13 was followed by a string of diverse projects, from the teen comedy Assassination of a High School President to the horror cult classic It Follows and the Fred movie trilogy. His breakout came as Deran Cody in TNT’s Animal Kingdom (2016–2022), where he played a conflicted surfer in a crime family, a role that showcased his ability to balance vulnerability and menace. PureWow noted that Weary’s Deran made him a “fan-favorite,” with his performance in The Waterfront proving he’s “long deserved the spotlight.”

In The Waterfront, Weary’s Cane Buckley is a complex figure: a charming manipulator who loves his wife Peyton and daughter Savanah but is torn by his loyalty to his father Harlan and his past with Jenna. His involvement in drug-running, driven by the family’s financial woes, adds moral ambiguity, making him a compelling lead. UPI quoted Weary on the role: “It was a character I’ve never really explored before, someone who is outwardly charismatic and trying to use his charms to get certain things and manipulate people.” Critics have praised his ability to make Cane both likable and flawed, with TVLine noting that Weary “elevates the material” despite the show’s mixed 64% Rotten Tomatoes score.

The Waterfront: A Gritty Family Saga

The Waterfront follows the Buckley family as their fishing empire in Havenport, North Carolina, teeters on collapse. Harlan Buckley (Holt McCallany), recovering from two heart attacks, hands the reins to his wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Weary), who turn to drug-running to save the business. Daughter Bree (Melissa Benoist), a recovering addict who lost custody of her son Diller (Brady Hepner), grapples with her demons while informing on her family to DEA agent Marcus Sanchez (Gerardo Celasco). The Season 1 finale, detailed by Netflix Tudum, ends with a shocking death, a new sibling revelation—bartender Shawn West (Rafael L. Silva) is Harlan’s son from an affair—and a cliffhanger involving Belle and a rival crime family.

Williamson, inspired by his own upbringing in a North Carolina fishing family, infuses the series with authenticity. TIME reported that his father’s arrest for drug trafficking shaped the show’s themes of desperation and legacy. The cast, including guest stars Topher Grace and Dave Annable, delivers standout performances, but Weary’s Cane is the emotional core, navigating love, duty, and betrayal. IMDb reviewers compare the show to Ozark and Bloodline, calling it “edge-of-your-seat” drama with a stellar cast.

Fan Frenzy and Future Possibilities

The revelation of Weary’s connection to Zimmer has amplified The Waterfront’s buzz. X posts reflect fans’ astonishment, with one user tweeting, “Jake Weary’s mom is Kim Zimmer?! This changes everything about The Waterfront!” Another wrote, “Cane Buckley’s intensity makes sense now—Jake’s got soap opera royalty in his DNA.” The show’s 64% Rotten Tomatoes score hasn’t dampened enthusiasm, with fans on TVLine defending its “delicious soap” vibe and praising Weary’s transformation from Animal Kingdom’s Deran.

The possibility of Zimmer joining Season 2 has sparked speculation. Williamson’s fandom and Weary’s enthusiasm for another collaboration fuel hopes for a cameo, perhaps as a figure from the Buckley’s past. Collider highlighted the show’s focus on “troubled family dynamics,” suggesting Zimmer could play a relative or rival, adding emotional weight. With filming for Season 1 completed in December 2024 in Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, a second season remains unconfirmed, but strong viewership—topping Netflix charts—makes it likely.

A Legacy Redefined

Jake Weary’s performance in The Waterfront has cemented him as a rising star, but the revelation of his mother, Kim Zimmer, adds a new dimension to his journey. Her legacy as Reva Shayne, combined with A.C. Weary’s directorial work, shaped Jake’s path, giving him a unique perspective on storytelling. As Newsnhanh.com put it, “Jake didn’t just break into Hollywood—he was raised in it.” Fans now watch Cane Buckley with fresh eyes, seeing traces of Zimmer’s fiery charisma in his performance.

The Waterfront is more than a crime drama—it’s a testament to family, both on-screen and off. Weary’s connection to Zimmer, revealed through Williamson’s admiration, has transformed how viewers perceive his role, making every scene a nod to a storied legacy. As the Buckley family fights to save their empire, Jake Weary is proving he’s a force to be reckoned with, carrying forward his mother’s torch in a new era of television.