Netflix is set to make waves with its highly anticipated crime drama The Waterfront, a gritty, Southern noir series that promises to hook viewers with its blend of family dysfunction, high-stakes crime, and coastal intrigue. Created by Kevin Williamson, the mastermind behind Scream and Dawson’s Creek, this eight-episode series is inspired by true events from Williamson’s own upbringing in North Carolina’s fishing communities. With a confirmed release date, tantalizing plot details, and a cast that’s already sparking Oscar buzz, The Waterfront is poised to be one of Netflix’s standout releases of 2025. Here’s everything you need to know about this electrifying drama, including the shocking twists and star-studded ensemble that will keep you glued to your screen.
Release Date: A Summer Premiere to Kick Off Your Binge
The Waterfront will dock on Netflix on June 19, 2025, with all eight episodes dropping at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time, perfect for a weekend binge. The release date was unveiled during Netflix’s “Next on Netflix 2025” event, where Williamson teased the series as “a love letter to my roots, wrapped in a storm of secrets and violence.” Filmed in the picturesque coastal towns of Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, the series leverages its authentic setting to amplify its tense, atmospheric storytelling. Netflix is already ramping up promotion with a trailer that dropped on Tudum, featuring haunting shots of fishing boats and stormy seas, alongside glimpses of the Buckley family’s unraveling empire. Expect a full press tour, exclusive cast interviews, and interactive fan events on X in the lead-up to the premiere.
Plot Details: A Fishing Empire on the Brink of Collapse
Set in the fictional coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina, The Waterfront dives into the turbulent world of the Buckley family, a dynasty that has ruled the local fishing and restaurant industries for decades. Inspired by Williamson’s father’s experiences as a fisherman who turned to drug smuggling in the 1980s to survive, the series blends real-life grit with soapy, melodramatic flair. The story kicks off with the Buckleys’ empire teetering on the edge of ruin, forcing the family to wade into dangerous waters—both literal and figurative—to protect their legacy.
At the heart of the narrative is Harlan Buckley (Holt McCallany), the whiskey-loving patriarch who built the Buckley fishery from the ground up, often bending the law to do so. After suffering two near-fatal heart attacks, Harlan is sidelined, leaving his fierce wife, Belle (Maria Bello), and ambitious son, Cane (Jake Weary), to steer the family’s crumbling businesses. Their desperate measures lead them back into the drug-running trade Harlan fought to escape, setting off a chain of betrayal, violence, and buried secrets. Meanwhile, Harlan’s daughter, Bree (Melissa Benoist), a recovering addict who’s lost custody of her son, grapples with her demons and a tangled romance that threatens to sink the family for good.
The plot thickens with a series of jaw-dropping twists. Early episodes reveal a botched drug run that leaves bodies in the water, drawing the attention of Sheriff Clyde Porter (Michael Gaston) and DEA Agent Marcus Sanchez (Gerardo Celasco). A shocking mid-season revelation exposes a long-hidden family secret: Harlan’s past involvement in a deadly smuggling deal that fractured the Buckleys years ago. The arrival of Grady (Topher Grace), a charismatic but sociopathic drug lord posing as a tech entrepreneur, flips the power dynamic, forcing Cane into a deadly game of cat and mouse. The season builds to a heart-pounding finale at sea, where a violent standoff leaves the Buckleys’ fate hanging in the balance—and a cliffhanger that’s already generating buzz on X for its audacity.
Williamson’s signature touch—blending raw emotion with pulpy drama—shines through, drawing comparisons to Ozark, Succession, and Bloodline. “This isn’t just a crime story,” Williamson told Tudum. “It’s about a family fighting to hold onto what defines them, even if it destroys them.” The series’ coastal setting, filmed in real North Carolina ports, adds a visceral layer, with stormy seas and creaking docks mirroring the Buckleys’ inner turmoil. Expect love triangles, betrayals, and moral dilemmas that keep you guessing who’s the hero and who’s the villain.
A Star-Studded Cast That’s Lighting Up Social Media
The cast of The Waterfront is a powerhouse ensemble, combining veteran heavyweights with rising stars in a lineup that’s already being called one of Netflix’s best. Leading the charge is Holt McCallany as Harlan Buckley, the flawed patriarch whose mix of charm and menace anchors the series. Known for his chilling role in Mindhunter, McCallany brings a rugged intensity to Harlan, described by Williamson as “a man who loves his family but can’t escape his demons.” Fans on X are already praising McCallany’s commanding presence, with posts calling him “the next Bryan Cranston.”
Maria Bello, a Golden Globe nominee for A History of Violence, plays Belle Buckley, the cunning matriarch who’ll stop at nothing to protect her family’s legacy. Bello’s portrayal is said to be a tour de force, blending Southern grace with ruthless pragmatism. Her scenes with McCallany are electric, showcasing a marriage strained by secrets but bound by fierce loyalty. “Belle is the glue and the grenade,” Bello told Netflix Junkie, hinting at her character’s explosive arc.
Jake Weary, fresh off Animal Kingdom, steps into the role of Cane Buckley, the golden son who’s both loyal to his father and desperate to prove himself. Weary’s magnetic performance, especially in scenes of emotional unraveling, has drawn raves from early screenings, with critics noting his “raw, captivating energy.” His chemistry with Melissa Benoist, who plays Bree Buckley, is a highlight, grounding the sibling dynamic in love and resentment. Benoist, best known for Supergirl, delivers a career-defining performance as the troubled Bree, whose battle with addiction and yearning for redemption steals the show. “Bree’s not a victim—she’s a fighter,” Benoist told Tudum, and fans are buzzing about her raw, vulnerable scenes.
The supporting cast is equally stunning. Rafael L. Silva (9-1-1: Lone Star) plays Shawn Wilson, a bartender with a mysterious past that unravels in shocking ways, while Humberly González (Ginny & Georgia) shines as Jenna Tate, a journalist and Cane’s former flame whose investigation into the Buckleys stirs up trouble. Danielle Campbell (The Originals) is Peyton Buckley, Cane’s poised wife with secrets of her own, and Brady Hepner plays Diller Hopkins, Bree’s estranged son, adding a heartbreaking layer to the family drama.
The recurring and guest stars are where things get truly wild. Topher Grace (That ’70s Show) makes a chilling turn as Grady, a drug lord whose quirky charm masks a sociopathic streak—think Hans Landa meets tech bro. His casting was a shock, with X posts exploding over his “unhinged” performance. Dave Annable (Brothers & Sisters), Michael Gaston (The Leftovers), Gerardo Celasco, and Zach Roerig (The Vampire Diaries) round out the ensemble, each bringing depth to Havenport’s web of alliances and betrayals. The inclusion of Roerig and Campbell, both Vampire Diaries alums, has fans speculating about a Williamson-led reunion, adding to the hype.
Shocking Twists and Emotional Depth
The Waterfront doesn’t hold back on surprises. Beyond the family secret and Grady’s arrival, a late-season twist involving Bree’s romantic entanglement—a forbidden connection with a rival family member—upends the Buckleys’ alliances and sets up a potential second season. The series also tackles heavy themes like addiction, generational trauma, and the cost of ambition, with Williamson drawing from his own family’s struggles in the fishing industry. “It’s personal,” he told TIME. “The Buckleys are flawed, but they’re human. You’ll hate them, then root for them.”
The show’s pacing, averaging 40-50 minutes per episode, keeps the tension tight, with no filler scenes. Early reviews praise its “bingeable” quality, with Variety calling it “soapy and melodramatic in all the best ways” and highlighting McCallany and Bello as “pillars of the narrative.” However, some critics, like TVLine’s Dave Nemetz, note its reliance on familiar crime drama tropes, though they admit the cast’s performances elevate it above clichés. On X, fans are split, with some comparing it to Ozark’s intensity and others calling it “Succession with shrimp boats.” The consensus? It’s a rollercoaster you can’t look away from.
Why The Waterfront Is Unmissable
With its stellar cast, twisty plot, and Williamson’s knack for blending heart and horror, The Waterfront is shaping up to be a Netflix juggernaut. Its North Carolina roots, filmed in real coastal towns, ground the drama in authenticity, while its larger-than-life characters and shocking turns make it a perfect escape. The series also partners with local fishing communities for authenticity, with Netflix pledging support to coastal conservation efforts, adding a feel-good layer to its release.
As June 19, 2025, approaches, X is ablaze with anticipation, with hashtags like #TheWaterfront and #BuckleyDrama trending. Whether you’re drawn to the all-star cast, the promise of jaw-dropping twists, or the allure of a Southern crime saga, The Waterfront is a must-watch. So, grab your popcorn, brace for stormy seas, and let us know: Will you be diving into The Waterfront on premiere day?
