She’s no longer just the witch Davina Claire from The Originals—in Netflix’s gripping coastal crime drama The Waterfront, Danielle Campbell transforms into Peyton Buckley, a smart, sweet Southern mom with a steely edge hidden beneath her polished exterior. Across eight episodes, this tangled dynasty of fishermen, secrets, and betrayal unfolds in the fictional town of Havenport, North Carolina, and Campbell’s performance is nothing short of electrifying. As Peyton navigates her husband’s descent into a criminal underworld and confronts her own ambitions, Campbell delivers a fierce, layered portrayal that’s earning buzz as a career-defining role. Streaming now on Netflix since its June 19, 2025, premiere, The Waterfront has captivated audiences with 8.3 million views in its opening weekend, per South China Morning Post. Here’s why Campbell’s transformation and the Buckley family’s saga make this series a must-watch summer hit, drawing from insights by Campbell, creator Kevin Williamson, and sources like Netflix Tudum, Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and Entertainment Weekly. 👇 Watch her shine and discover why she might just be Netflix’s breakout star of 2025.
From Disney to Dynasty: Danielle Campbell’s Journey
Danielle Campbell, now 30, has been a familiar face since her early days as a Disney star. Discovered at age 10 in a Chicago hair salon, she landed her first major role in the 2010 Disney Channel movie Starstruck, playing Jessica Olson opposite Sterling Knight. She followed this with roles in Prom (2011) and The Originals (2013–2018), where her portrayal of the fierce witch Davina Claire won her a loyal fanbase. Campbell’s work with Kevin Williamson, the mastermind behind The Vampire Diaries and Scream, continued in the thriller anthology Tell Me a Story (2018–2020), showcasing her ability to tackle complex roles. “I’m so honored by the trust Kevin puts in me to play such different characters,” she told Tudum. Her latest role as Peyton Buckley in The Waterfront marks a bold new chapter, blending Southern charm with unexpected strength.
Campbell’s transition from teen roles to a commanding presence in The Waterfront has critics and fans buzzing. “Peyton is who I want to be when I grow up,” Campbell laughed to Tudum, describing her character as a Southern belle who “clocks everything” and stores information for the right moment. Unlike her earlier roles, Peyton is a multifaceted figure—a devoted wife and mother who evolves from a seemingly typical debutante into a powerhouse navigating her family’s criminal empire. Variety praises Campbell’s ability to reveal “a lot more going on beyond the surface,” making Peyton a fan favorite and a standout in the series’ star-studded cast.
The Waterfront: A Coastal Crime Saga
Premiering on June 19, 2025, The Waterfront is an eight-episode drama created by Kevin Williamson, known for Dawson’s Creek and Scream. Set in the fictional coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina, the series follows the Buckley family, a dynasty that has dominated the local fishing industry for decades. Inspired by Williamson’s own experiences as the son of a fisherman who turned to smuggling in the 1980s, the show explores the morally gray choices the Buckleys make to save their crumbling empire. “My dad got tempted to do some things that weren’t so legal to put food on the table,” Williamson told Tudum, adding authenticity to the series’ gritty narrative.
The cast is a powerhouse, led by Holt McCallany as patriarch Harlan Buckley, Maria Bello as matriarch Belle, Jake Weary as son Cane, and Melissa Benoist as daughter Bree. Supporting players include Rafael L. Silva as bartender Shawn West, Humberly González as journalist Jenna Tate, and Brady Hepner as Bree’s estranged son, Diller. Guest stars like Topher Grace as drug lord Grady add intrigue. Filmed in Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, the series captures the moody coastal beauty with Julie Kirkwood’s cinematography, using natural light and tight framing to convey emotional tension, per Cyprus Mail. With 8.3 million views in its opening weekend and a spot atop Netflix’s English-language charts, The Waterfront is a binge-worthy hit.
Peyton Buckley: The Southern Belle with Steel
At first glance, Peyton Buckley, played by Campbell, appears to be the quintessential Southern belle—polished, charming, and devoted to her husband, Cane (Jake Weary), and their 8-year-old daughter. Cosmopolitan describes her as a “classic, classy Southern lady who loves the finer things,” but beneath her debutante facade lies a fierce protector who knows more than she lets on. Campbell told Us Weekly, “Peyton doesn’t fit the stereotypical trope of a Southern woman. She’s a powerhouse who walks into a room and is attuned to everything.” Her character’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she grapples with Cane’s involvement in the family’s drug-smuggling operations and her own role in their legacy.
Peyton’s arc is central to the series’ drama. Initially unaware of the Buckleys’ criminal activities, she learns the truth and faces a choice: leave or embrace the chaos. “Cane is in the doghouse,” Campbell admitted to Tudum, but Peyton chooses to stay, staking her claim in the family’s empire. Williamson noted to Tudum, “Peyton has made the same choice as her mother-in-law, Belle, who stayed with Harlan through his illegal enterprises.” This parallel adds depth, as Peyton evolves from a supportive wife to a strategic player, mirroring Belle’s resilience but carving her own path. Campbell’s performance, described by Variety as “feisty but underused,” shines in later episodes as Peyton’s hidden strength emerges, making her a standout in the ensemble.
A Tangled Dynasty: The Buckley Family Drama
The Waterfront thrives on the Buckley family’s dysfunction, with each member grappling with secrets and ambitions. Harlan, recovering from two heart attacks, struggles to maintain control as Belle and Cane turn to drug smuggling to save the fishery, per Deadline. Bree, a recovering addict, fights to reconnect with her son, Diller, while navigating a dangerous romance. Los Angeles Times calls the series a “soap opera with drug smuggling,” highlighting its melodramatic twists, from shootings to betrayals. Topher Grace’s Grady, a heroin kingpin with a “tech bro vibe,” escalates the stakes, entangling the Buckleys in a deadly drug war.
Peyton’s role in this chaos is pivotal. As Cane’s high school sweetheart, Jenna Tate (Humberly González), returns, stirring unresolved feelings, Peyton must protect her family while navigating her husband’s divided loyalties. Campbell told Tudum, “Peyton knows what she wants and is on a journey of self-discovery.” Her ability to “clock” everything—observing the family’s secrets while biding her time—makes her a wildcard. Hollywood Reporter notes that Peyton’s “feisty” presence grows as conflicts intensify, with Campbell stealing scenes despite limited screen time early on. The season’s finale, with a shocking death and a cliffhanger involving Belle, leaves Peyton’s future uncertain, fueling anticipation for a potential Season 2.
Why Campbell’s Performance Is a Game-Changer
Campbell’s portrayal of Peyton is earning rave reviews for its nuance and intensity. PureWow called her “unexpectedly fierce,” noting that fans of her Disney and The Originals roles are shocked by her transformation. Unlike Davina’s overt power, Peyton’s strength is subtle, revealed through calculated glances and quiet resolve. “She’s storing it and ready to use it at a later date,” Campbell told Tudum, highlighting Peyton’s strategic mind. South China Morning Post praised her ability to make Peyton a fan favorite, with Instagram posts from @thedaniellecampbell showcasing behind-the-scenes moments that amplify her star power.
Williamson’s trust in Campbell, built through their work on Tell Me a Story and The Originals, allowed her to bring depth to Peyton. “Kevin gives women such a powerful voice,” she told Tudum, and Peyton’s evolution from a seemingly passive wife to a formidable force reflects this. Marie Claire notes that Campbell’s chemistry with Weary and Bello elevates the family drama, making Peyton’s scenes with Cane and Belle particularly compelling. Her performance, combined with the show’s soapy twists, positions her as a breakout star, with fans on X, like @1DRocksTweets, calling her “the heart of The Waterfront.”
The Allure of The Waterfront
The Waterfront stands out for its blend of coastal charm and gritty crime. Filmed in Wilmington and Southport, the series captures North Carolina’s beauty, with sailboats and fishing trawlers setting a moody backdrop, per Netflix Tudum. Williamson’s personal connection—his father’s smuggling to support their family—adds authenticity, making the Buckleys’ moral dilemmas relatable. Cyprus Mail praises Julie Kirkwood’s cinematography for its “natural light and tight framing,” which mirrors the characters’ emotional pressure. The show’s pacing, with 40-50-minute episodes, ensures a bingeable experience, as Variety compares it to a “beach read” with threads of “criminality, infidelity, and lies.”
The ensemble cast, including McCallany’s commanding Harlan, Bello’s resilient Belle, and Benoist’s raw Bree, complements Campbell’s performance. Entertainment Weekly highlights the reunion of The Vampire Diaries and Supergirl alums, adding nostalgia for CW fans. Topher Grace’s villainous Grady, written specifically for him, brings a “fun, sociopathic energy,” per Hollywood Reporter, while Rafael L. Silva’s secretive Shawn adds intrigue. The series’ mix of soap opera drama and crime, likened to Succession and Yellowstone by USA Housing Information, ensures broad appeal.
Why The Waterfront Is a Summer Must-Watch
The Waterfront is Netflix’s summer 2025 gem for several reasons. Campbell’s breakout performance as Peyton Buckley is a highlight, with PureWow noting her ability to surprise fans of her earlier roles. The show’s 8.3 million opening weekend views and chart-topping status, per South China Morning Post, reflect its bingeability. Williamson’s storytelling, rooted in personal experience, adds depth, while the coastal setting and all-star cast draw viewers in. Los Angeles Times calls it “entertaining” despite some “artificial” elements, and fans on X praise its “addictive” twists.
The series’ exploration of legacy, loyalty, and moral ambiguity resonates, with Peyton’s journey embodying the struggle to balance love and ambition. Campbell’s tease to Us Weekly about wanting Katie Holmes for a potential Season 2 hints at bigger things to come, fueling speculation about the show’s future. The cliffhanger finale, with a shocking death and Belle’s unexpected call, leaves viewers hungry for more, per Tudum.
Production and Reception
Filmed in North Carolina, The Waterfront benefits from Williamson’s love for the region, where he shot Dawson’s Creek. Produced by Universal TV, with executive producers including Williamson and Marcos Siega, the series premiered all eight episodes on June 19, 2025. TV Insider notes its all-star cast and Williamson’s signature pacing, while Hollywood Reporter critiques its “polished but artificial” feel, praising Grace and Campbell for elevating the drama. Social media buzz, with millions of trailer views and trending cast interviews, underscores its popularity.
Conclusion
Danielle Campbell’s transformation into Peyton Buckley in The Waterfront is a revelation, turning a Southern belle into a fierce, strategic force. Her performance, layered with quiet strength and hidden depths, makes Peyton the heart of this coastal crime saga. With a tangled Buckley dynasty, a moody North Carolina setting, and twists that keep you guessing, The Waterfront is Netflix’s summer 2025 must-watch. Campbell’s breakout role, backed by a stellar cast and Kevin Williamson’s personal storytelling, ensures this eight-episode drama will hook you from the first wave. Stream it now on Netflix and witness why Danielle Campbell is the Southern belle you didn’t see coming.
