Coastal Family Descends into Drug Trade to Save Empire in ‘The Waterfront’ Drama

In the gripping new Netflix drama The Waterfront, created by Kevin Williamson, the influential Buckley Family confronts their shady inclinations in an attempt to salvage their declining business empire. This series marks Williamson’s much-anticipated comeback to television and his reunion with the backdrop of North Carolina.

The narrative centers around the Buckley family, featuring performances by Melissa Benoit, Mario Bello, Holt McCallany, and Jake Weary. The series is scheduled to debut on Netflix on June 19 and will unfold across eight episodes.

According to the official synopsis, the Buckley family has been the dominant force in the coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina, for years, controlling sectors ranging from local fisheries to dining establishments. However, the family’s fishing business begins to falter as patriarch Harlan Buckley (played by McCallany) recuperates from two heart attacks. In an effort to sustain their enterprises, his wife Belle (Bello) and son Cane (Weary) dive into risky ventures. As their efforts lead to increasingly perilous situations, Harlan steps in to reassert control. Meanwhile, Buckley daughter Bree (Benoist), a recovering addict who has lost custody of her son, becomes involved in a complex relationship that poses a new threat to the family’s stability.

Screening Details

The show is filmed in North Carolina, which also served as the location for Williamson’s earlier project, Dawson’s Creek. The executive producers of the series include Williamson himself, Ben Fast from Outerbanks Entertainment, Michael Narducci, and Marcos Siega.

The series also features Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, and Brady Hepner in significant roles. Guest appearances include Topher Grace, Dave Annable, Michael Gaston, Gerardo Celasco, and Zach Roerig.

The production is handled by Universal TV.