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Season 1 – The Waterfront

Play trailer 2:07 Poster for Season 1 – The Waterfront 2025 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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66% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Inspired by true events, The Waterfront dives into the flawed Buckley family as their attempts to retain control of their crumbling North Carolina fishing empire drive them to increasingly dangerous means to keep themselves afloat.
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The Waterfront — Season 1

The Waterfront — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Grim and pulpy, The Waterfront traffics in clichés but injects them with enough bravado to make for a gripping binge.

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Critics Reviews

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Wenlei Ma The Nightly (AU) The Waterfront has no self-awareness and definitely no chill. This isn’t, in Netflix’s parlance, a gourmet cheeseburger, it’s a half-bag of stale Burger Rings. Jun 30, 2025 Full Review Sherin Nicole RogerEbert.com I hope it’s not an indicator of my own repressed villainy, but the best thing about “The Waterfront” is a string of truly spectacular and nicely choreographed murders that’ll get your schadenfreude pumping. Jun 23, 2025 Full Review Rebecca Onion Slate This first season of The Waterfront sets more tables than the waitresses at the Buckleys’ seaside restaurant. We see Cane’s moral dilemmas, Bree’s tragic history. But the best seeds it sows are in the relationship between Harlan and Belle. Jun 23, 2025 Full Review John Stark Mac the Movie Guy Topher Grace’s oddly memorable turn is worth the watch alone. Weird, but ultimately brilliant casting. Rated: 76/10 Jul 29, 2025 Full Review Adam Sweeting The Arts Desk This tangled web shakes itself out addictively over eight episodes, as black comedy mixes with lashings of ultra-violence, seasoned with plenty of soap-esque melodrama. Rated: 4/5 Jul 28, 2025 Full Review Alan French Sunshine State Cineplex The Waterfront has a ton of fun with the action and drama of the crime tale. It even has some great comedic moments. Rated: 7/10 Jul 20, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Efrem M It's one of the best shows if seen on Netflix the last few months. I mean there's not a lot out there in general, so I can't bee too picky. Overall I like the story and it's pretty interesting. It just seems like Maria Bello is carrying that show, the rest of the actors seem to be on a lifetime crime movie. If it were's too superficial it would have been great. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/29/25 Full Review Chad T The Waterfront should been called Bad Penny b/c from start to finish it’s bad. I thought this was a family in turmoil desperate to keep its head above water. Instead it seems as though they’re grade A mobsters who also hate their family bonds. Not only that, but they have little ethics, but somehow want to pretend they are better than the other criminals. The writing & story lines are worse than the Sopranos & it’s not as interesting or as compelling as Ozark. You might want to watch it, if you get an urge, but it’ll leave you unsatisfied & wondering why these people are so empty. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 07/29/25 Full Review Michael D This show perfectly blends runtime and pacing, making it instantly binge-worthy. While the plot treads familiar ground, it remains consistently entertaining. The cast delivers strong performances overall, though McCallany's character didn't quite land for me. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/28/25 Full Review Audience Member Pretty milk toast. Casting is poor. There is basically zero chemistry between any of the talent. The writing sure don’t help. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/27/25 Full Review ARNI S All's I can say is WOW probably one of the best mini series I've seen in a long time. Great cast and well written storyline it takes you back to the shows. That used to be on television back in the late 70's, and through the 80's Good job Netflix. Hope there's a season two in the making great ending... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/25 Full Review Daphne W ONE WORD. FANTASTIC. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/26/25 Full Review Read all reviews
The Waterfront — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Kevin Williamson

Creator

Holt McCallany

Harlan Buckley

Melissa Benoist

Bree Buckley

Jake Weary

Cane Buckley

Maria Bello

Mae Buckley

Rafael L. Silva

Shawn Wilson

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jun 19, 2025 Almost Okay When a suspicious shipwreck draws the eyes of the law, the fractured Buckley family must put aside their grievances to cover their tracks. Details Episode 2 Aired Jun 19, 2025 Taking Control Cane and Harlan take bigger risks to keep the business running; Bree seeks proof to confirm her suspicions about her family. Details Episode 3 Aired Jun 19, 2025 Playing With Fire As Harlan re-enters a risky alliance tied to the family's past, Belle makes quiet moves to protect what's left of their legacy. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 19, 2025 You Can't Trust a Buckley Cane works to contain the growing fallout at home; Harlan connects with a new player and learns the rules of the game have changed. Details Episode 5 Aired Jun 19, 2025 I'm a Hugger As pressure mounts and operations get riskier, Belle and Harlan struggle to keep a low profile; old wounds resurface between Cane and Bree. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 19, 2025 Hunting Season Belle receives upsetting news about the family's future; a hunting trip troubles the fragile alliance between Harlan and Grady; Bree makes a confession. Details Episode 7 Aired Jun 19, 2025 Nice Try Hoping to regain control of his operation, Harlan tries to outmaneuver an imminent threat; a violent warning shakes the Buckley family to its core. Details Episode 8 Aired Jun 19, 2025 Lost at Sea As tensions flare, a dangerous standoff at sea brings the Buckleys face-to-face with their enemies. Details

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The Waterfront — Season 1

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The Waterfront — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Liz Friedlander, Marcos Siega, Jann Turner, Erica Dunton
Creator
Kevin Williamson
Executive Producer
Marcos Siega, Ben Fast, Kevin Williamson, Michael Narducci
Screenwriter
Kevin Williamson, Michael Narducci, Hannah Schneider, Katelyn Crabb, Brenna Kouf, Lloyd Gilyard Jr.
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jun 19, 2025
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