Katarzyna Petru
Kevin Williamson – the guy who gave us Scream and The Vampire Diaries – is back after years with the most personal and darkest series of his career. This time it's not about high school dramas or teen horror. The Waterfront pulls us into the world of a smuggling family of fishermen from the southern USA, where every decision is a fight for survival, and morality sinks faster than a boat laden with contraband. Sounds like a new Ozark? Definitely. But here everything happens… really close to the life of the creator himself.
It grips like Yellowstone, hurts like Breaking Bad, and the atmosphere? Sticky, humid, and dense like the Southern air of North Carolina. Netflix has something again that could turn the ranking of series upside down.
Plot and Cast
The Buckley family is a family of fishermen from the coastal Havenport (filmed in Wilmington and Southport, NC). When their business collapses, they decide to turn to drug smuggling. The main roles include:
Holt McCallany – tough patriarch Harlan, playing a Southern fisherman on the brink of bankruptcy.
Maria Bello as Belle – his composed yet struggling wife.
Melissa Benoist – their daughter Bree, who has pulled herself together after addiction.
Jake Weary – son Cane, torn between family and obligations.
Topher Grace – charismatic and unpredictable smuggler Grady, created specifically for the actor.
The rest of the cast: Rafael Silva, Danielle Campbell, and Brady Hepner, as well as guest appearances – including Topher Grace and characters from The Vampire Diaries.
Behind the scenes of The Waterfront – what does it look like from a technical standpoint?
Filming for The Waterfront began in the summer of 2024 and continued until late autumn, mainly taking place in picturesque locations in North Carolina – Wilmington and Southport. These locations are not random: Kevin Williamson knows these areas intimately, and their raw, coastal aesthetic perfectly suits the story of a declining fishing empire. It was filmed in authentic settings – on wooden piers, in old beach houses, in atmospheric restaurants where you can feel the salt in the air and nostalgia in the atmosphere.
The musical score is by John Frizzell – known for his work on Alien: Resurrection and The Following. This time, he created a soundtrack that does not impose itself but wonderfully captures the oppressive atmosphere of the coastal towns and the internal tensions among the characters. There's a bit of southern blues, some unease, and plenty of emotional space.
When it comes to the image itself – The Waterfront aims for realism but does not shy away from cinematic flair. The frames are wide, often based on natural light – with plenty of golden hours, long shadows, and misty mornings over the water. Reviewers from Vulture described the editing as "sharp, but not overdone," and the colour palette as "warm, organic, and perfectly capturing the soul of the story."
The end result? The series looks more like an independent film than a typical television production. And although there are no special effects straight from Hollywood, The Waterfront stands out with its atmosphere, authenticity, and an excellent eye behind the camera.
Viewing Figures and Reception
Official Netflix data has not yet emerged, but the series has immediately secured a spot in the top 10 of various countries. It has a 60% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and is ranked 60th in the series chart. Reviewers praise the excellent atmosphere and acting, though they sometimes criticise a lack of narrative consistency.
The Waterfront is the adult version of Dawson’s Creek – without the pastel sentimentality, but with moral dilemmas, crime and the values of the southern coast of the USA. Williamson returns to his roots, telling his own story – intense, dark, and rooted in authentic memories. It is worth watching if you value: a strong family tale, the atmosphere of the southern America, and the visible sorrow of the fading fishing tradition.
