For four electrifying weeks, Netflix’s coastal thriller The Waterfront reigned supreme as the streaming giant’s #1 series, captivating audiences with its intoxicating blend of power struggles, buried secrets, and a finale that left fans bleary-eyed at 2 a.m. This gritty drama, set against the rugged backdrop of North Carolina’s fishing empire, had viewers hooked, dominating the global charts and sparking endless chatter on social media. But in a stunning upset, a dark new contender, Secrets We Keep, has swept in, dethroning The Waterfront and claiming the coveted top spot. What series dared to challenge this juggernaut, and does it have the staying power to hold the crown? Let’s dive into the drama that has Netflix fans buzzing in the wake of Texas’s devastating floods.
The Reign of The Waterfront: A Coastal Thriller That Gripped the Globe
Since its debut on May 29, 2025, The Waterfront has been a phenomenon. Created by Kevin Williamson, the mastermind behind Scream and Dawson’s Creek, the series follows the Buckley family as they fight to maintain control of their crumbling fishing empire in Havenport, North Carolina. Inspired by true events and based on a John Grisham novel, the show weaves a tale of ambition, betrayal, and long-buried secrets, with a stellar cast including Holt McCallany as patriarch Harlan Buckley, Melissa Benoist as his cunning wife Belle, and Jake Weary as their volatile son Cane. The six-part series is a masterclass in suspense, blending family drama with the high-stakes tension of a crime thriller.
From its opening episode, The Waterfront hooked viewers with its vivid coastal setting and complex characters. The Buckleys’ empire, once a pillar of Havenport’s economy, is on the brink of collapse after Harlan suffers two heart attacks, forcing him to step back from the business. Belle and Cane, desperate to protect their legacy, resort to increasingly dangerous measures—blackmail, sabotage, and even murder. Each episode peels back layers of deception, revealing secrets about the family’s past and the town’s underbelly. The finale, a gut-punch of twists that tied up loose ends while leaving room for speculation, had fans glued to their screens, with X posts like “The Waterfront finale just broke me 😭” and “Who saw THAT coming? 🫣” flooding timelines.
The series’ success was undeniable. For four weeks, it held the #1 spot on Netflix’s English TV List, racking up 8.3 million views in its first week alone and consistently ranking in the Top 10 in 91 countries. Critics praised its “deliriously entertaining” pacing and Williamson’s ability to balance personal drama with crime-fueled chaos. Fans on X called it “Succession meets Ozark by the sea,” with Benoist’s portrayal of Belle earning particular acclaim for its ruthless yet vulnerable edge. The show’s coastal aesthetic—stormy seas, weathered docks, and moody sunsets—added a cinematic allure, making it a visual and emotional feast that kept viewers coming back.
A Cultural Moment: Why The Waterfront Resonated
The Waterfront tapped into a universal hunger for stories about power, loyalty, and betrayal. Its setting in a tight-knit coastal community, where everyone knows everyone else’s secrets, mirrored the claustrophobic tension of real-life small towns. The Buckleys’ struggle to hold onto their empire resonated in a post-pandemic world where economic uncertainty and family dynamics have taken center stage, amplified by the recent Texas floods that left communities grappling with loss. Viewers connected with Harlan’s fight to reclaim control, Belle’s fierce protectiveness, and Cane’s reckless ambition, seeing shades of their own battles in the characters’ flaws and triumphs.
Social media amplified the show’s impact. On X, fans dissected every plot twist, from the revelation of Harlan’s secret deal with a rival fishing company to Cane’s shocking betrayal in the finale. Memes of Benoist’s icy stares and McCallany’s gravelly one-liners became instant classics, while discussion threads speculated about a potential second season. Netflix reported that the series amassed over 30 million views in its first month, cementing its status as a global hit. Its ability to blend soap-opera drama with gritty crime elements made it a perfect binge-watch, with fans confessing to staying up until 2 a.m. to finish the finale.
Yet, despite its dominance, The Waterfront wasn’t invincible. After four weeks of ruling the charts, a new series emerged from the shadows, ready to steal its crown.
The Dark Contender: Secrets We Keep Takes Over
On July 9, 2025, a Danish crime thriller titled Secrets We Keep (known as Reservatet in its native language) dropped on Netflix with little fanfare. By July 15, it had rocketed to the #1 spot on the non-English TV charts and was making a strong play for the overall top spot, dethroning The Waterfront in a matter of days. Created by Ingeborg Topsøe, this six-episode miniseries explores the dark underbelly of Copenhagen’s wealthiest neighborhood, where a Filipino au pair named Ruby goes missing, sparking a twisting investigation that uncovers shocking secrets.
The series follows Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen), a resident of the affluent enclave who suspects foul play in Ruby’s disappearance. As she digs deeper, Cecilie confronts her own blind spots and the hidden power structures of her community. The show’s cast, including Pilou Asbæk and Dar Salim, delivers raw, emotional performances, while its themes of class, privilege, and justice resonate deeply, especially in the context of Texas’s recent floods, which highlighted societal inequalities. The finale, which reveals the truth about Ruby’s fate and the complicity of the neighborhood’s elite, has been called “gut-wrenching” and “unforgettable” by viewers.
Secrets We Keep debuted to a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, with praise for its “absorbing” narrative and “haunting” exploration of Denmark’s au pair culture. By its first week, it garnered 10.3 million views and 38.6 million hours viewed, topping the charts in 28 countries and ranking in the Top 10 in 82. On X, fans raved, “Secrets We Keep is the Nordic noir we didn’t know we needed! 😱” and “This show ripped my heart out. Copenhagen’s rich are WILD.” Its rapid rise caught even Netflix by surprise, as the series outpaced expectations for a non-English title.
Why Secrets We Keep Stole the Crown
Several factors contributed to Secrets We Keep’s meteoric ascent. First, its timing was impeccable. After four weeks, The Waterfront had saturated its audience, with many fans having binged the series and moved on to new content. Secrets We Keep filled the void with a fresh, compact story that appealed to fans of Nordic noir and Harlan Coben-style mysteries. Its six-episode format made it an easy weekend binge, perfect for viewers craving a quick but intense fix, especially as many sought escapism amid the Texas flood recovery efforts.
The show’s themes also struck a chord. By focusing on a Filipino au pair—a figure often overlooked in Denmark’s “egalitarian” society—it tackled issues of class and exploitation with nuance. The story’s exploration of wealthy families hiding dark secrets echoed real-world scandals, making it both timely and gripping, particularly as Texas communities confronted similar themes of resilience and inequality post-floods. Viewers on X connected the series to broader conversations about privilege, with one post reading, “Secrets We Keep shows how the rich get away with everything. Ruby deserved better. 😢” The emotional weight of Ruby’s story, combined with the suspense of the investigation, kept audiences hooked.
The series’ visual style also set it apart. Unlike The Waterfront’s sun-drenched coastal vistas, Secrets We Keep leans into Denmark’s stark, moody landscapes—sleek mansions, foggy marinas, and rain-soaked streets. This aesthetic, paired with a haunting score, created an atmosphere that fans described as “chilling” and “addictive.” Critics compared it to The White Lotus for its dissection of wealth and morality, but with a darker, more grounded tone that resonated with viewers seeking depth in their thrillers.
The Battle for the Top Spot: Can Secrets We Keep Hold On?
While Secrets We Keep has claimed the #1 spot, its reign is far from guaranteed. Netflix’s charts are notoriously volatile, with new releases constantly vying for attention. The Waterfront, though dethroned, remains a strong contender, sitting at #2 on the English TV List and continuing to draw viewers with its buzzworthy finale. Fans on X are already clamoring for a second season, with posts like “Netflix better renew The Waterfront! That ending needs answers! 🙏” Meanwhile, other recent releases, like the French thriller Under a Dark Sun and the Australian drama The Survivors, are climbing the charts, threatening to challenge Secrets We Keep’s dominance.
The success of Secrets We Keep hinges on its ability to sustain momentum. Its 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and strong viewership give it a solid foundation, but audience reception is mixed, with a 76% Popcornmeter score reflecting some viewers’ frustration with its slow-burn pacing. Netflix has not yet announced a renewal, as the series was designed as a limited miniseries, but its popularity could prompt a continuation, much like Your Honor or The Undoing. For now, the show’s compact narrative and conclusive ending satisfy most viewers, but its long-term impact depends on word-of-mouth buzz, especially as viewers seek stories of resilience in the wake of the Texas floods.
The Cultural Context: Texas Floods and Escapist Entertainment
The rise of Secrets We Keep comes at a poignant time. The devastating floods in Texas, which displaced thousands and caused widespread destruction in early 2025, have left a nation grappling with grief and recovery. Both The Waterfront and Secrets We Keep offer escapist entertainment that resonates with these turbulent times. The Waterfront’s focus on a family fighting to preserve their legacy mirrors the resilience of Texas communities rebuilding after disaster, while Secrets We Keep’s exploration of hidden truths and societal inequities speaks to the broader conversations about fairness and justice that have emerged post-floods. On X, fans have noted these parallels, with one user writing, “Watching Secrets We Keep while Texas recovers hits different. It’s like we’re all searching for truth. 💔”
What’s Next for Netflix’s Crime Thriller Fans?
The dethroning of The Waterfront by Secrets We Keep underscores Netflix’s strength in delivering diverse, high-quality crime dramas. Fans of The Waterfront can explore similar titles like Ozark or The Perfect Couple, which blend family drama with criminal intrigue. Meanwhile, Secrets We Keep has drawn comparisons to Harlan Coben’s Missing You and The Åre Murders, both of which offer twisty mysteries and emotional depth.
For viewers eager to dive into the next big thing, Netflix’s upcoming releases promise more thrills. Untamed, a Yosemite-set mystery starring Eric Bana, drops on July 17, 2025, and its trailer hints at a gritty investigation with personal stakes. Other titles, like The Stolen Girl on Disney+ and Long Bright River with Amanda Seyfried, are also generating buzz for crime drama fans. As Texas continues its recovery, these stories of suspense and redemption offer a way to process complex emotions through the lens of fiction.
A Streaming Showdown for the Ages
The rise and fall of The Waterfront and the emergence of Secrets We Keep reflect the ever-shifting landscape of streaming. For four weeks, The Waterfront was Netflix’s undisputed king, its coastal thriller vibes and explosive finale captivating millions. But Secrets We Keep, with its dark Nordic noir and searing social commentary, proved a worthy challenger, stealing the crown with its raw emotion and gripping mystery. In a nation healing from the Texas floods, these stories provide both escape and reflection, reminding viewers of the power of storytelling to unite and inspire. Whether Secrets We Keep can hold the top spot remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Netflix’s crime saga arena is more competitive than ever, and fans are the ultimate winners in this thrilling showdown.
