Latest news with #Buckleys
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix's new No. 1 show is a soapy crime drama — and I'm surprised how much I want to binge-watch it
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Netflix's new crime drama 'The Waterfront' is basically a more grown-up spin on 'Dawson's Creek.' It follows an extended cast of characters in a waterside town as their personal drama entangles with their somehow even more chaotic professional lives. While its cast may be comprised of (mostly) adults, the melodrama feels just as soapy as the problems faced by Dawson and his pals in the iconic teen drama series. Only this time, there are more references to drug smuggling and high-stakes criminal activity than fretting over not getting asked to prom. Considering 'The Waterfront' comes from Kevin Williamson, creator of 'Dawson's Creek' as well as 'The Vampire Diaries' and the 'Scream' movie franchise, it's not a huge surprise that its tone is more sudsy than serious. And yet, despite things verging on cheesy on more than one occasion, after starting the series this week, I feel a strong compulsion to binge the rest right now. And clearly I'm not the only one who's been hooked by the new series. After about 24 hours on the platform, "The Waterfront" has rocketed straight to the No. 1 spot in the Netflix top 10 most-watched list. It's currently the most popular show on the service in several countries, including the U.S. So, if you're looking for a summer binge-watch, 'The Waterfront' might just be the perfect candidate, offering eight episodes stuffed with twists, betrayals, and 'shocking' revelations. It's a frothy throwback to a previous era of television, and I'm surprised how much that simple concept still appeals. Inspired by true events, 'The Waterfront' is set in the fictional North Caroline beach town of Havenport, a location controlled by the Buckley family. This chaotic clang has a tight grip on everything from the local restaurants to the fishing industry that keeps Havenport ticking. However, their empire is built on sand, and starts to crumble when patriarch Harlan (Holt McCallany) steps back from business after suffering a heart attack, and his reckless son Cane (Jake Weary) attempts to fill the void with some pretty disastrous results. It soon becomes clear that when you swim in murky waters, you don't come out clean. Thrown into the mix are the matriarchy of the family, Belle (Maria Bello), and daughter Bree (Melissa Benoist), a young mother struggling with addiction and battling over custody of her son. Let's just say, the Buckleys aren't exactly a picture of the perfect American family. As the authorities start investigating a double homicide, which could implicate the Buckleys in a series of narcotic crimes, the family finds themselves scrambling to cover their tracks, but their interpersonal fighting threatens to sink everything they've built even before the cops can uncover their secrets. It soon becomes clear that when you swim in murky waters, you don't come out clean. After streaming the first couple of episodes of 'The Waterfront,' one thing is very clear: This show is basically a slick-looking soap opera. It's stuffed with clunky dialogue exchanges, characters making decisions that in reality would lead them to ruin (but somehow work out), and a sense of escalation that sees the rabbit hole of chaos the Buckleys have dug only get bigger with each passing scene. It's certainly not awards-caliber drama. Yet, it's just self-aware enough to remain highly watchable. It's the sort of disposable TV that dominated the pre-streaming era of television. You could easily imagine the season being stretched to 20+ episodes, with a whole load of additional sideplots added to bulk things out. While the crime aspect is pretty prominent throughout — with Harlan and Cane's attempts to bring their unstable empire back under control taking the lion's share of the early screentime — the aspect that appealed to me most was actually Bree's attempts to connect with her estranged son, and her snarky snipe at her ex-husband. Benoist is a bit of a show stealer. Based on what I've consumed so far, 'The Waterfront' isn't a crime drama series that is going to live long in the memory. Heck, after just two episodes, the earliest moments are becoming a bit hazy, but I still feel surprisingly compelled to keep watching and see where this ride concludes. The show's combination of criminal dealings and relationship drama — in between drug dealings, Cane is trying to reconnect with a former flame — is a potent mix, and narrative wrinkles are dished out at a frequent enough clip that you can mostly gloss over the often hamfisted scripting and the times where the plot askews logic in favour of a big twist. 'The Waterfront' has arrived on Netflix at just the right time. Its beachside setting and its easy-watching nature feels fitting for the summer months. It's a Netflix original series you can consume in a relatively short amount of time, mostly enjoy while it lasts, and then move on without any lingering thoughts. It's probably not going to be ranked in many best-of-the-year lists. But that's not necessarily a deal-breaker. At least for me, I'm happy to make room in my streaming schedule for a show that offers intrigue, even if I can already tell it's not going to be a show that lives long in the memory. At least in the moment, there's enough soapy substance to keep me invested, and I'm curious to see where the Buckleys end up by the final episode. If you're itching for a Netflix show you can tear through in just a few evenings, or a single weekend, then 'The Waterfront' should fit the bill nicely. It's not going to leave the enduring legacy of some of Kevin Williamson's previous work, but it's pretty watchable, even if you can excuse some hokey dialogue. Meanwhile, if you're looking for more streaming options, check out our guide to everything added to Netflix in June 2025, which includes plenty of bingeable shows and original movies. Watch "The Waterfront" on Netflix now New on Netflix in June 2025 Netflix has racked up 15 No. 1 shows in 2025 (so far) Netflix drops first look at new political thriller series
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Netflix drops ‘The Waterfront', inspired by creator's real-life family drug ties
Netflix's new drama The Waterfront, which premiered on June 19, takes viewers deep into a coastal town torn apart by secrets, legacy, and survival—and it's rooted in real life. The eight-episode series comes from Kevin Williamson, the mind behind Scream, Dawson's Creek, and The Vampire Diaries. This time, Williamson delivers a raw, personal story inspired by his own father's descent into drug smuggling in the 1980s. The series stars Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist, and Jake Weary as members of the Buckley family, who were once-respected figures in the fictional town of Havenport, North Carolina. Once dominant in the local fishing industry, the Buckleys are now unraveling amid addiction, financial hardship, and long-buried betrayals. Behind the family's polished public image is a messy tangle of secrets and a willingness to do whatever it takes to maintain control—even if it means turning on one another. While the Buckleys are fictional, the emotional core of the story is deeply personal to Williamson. In recent interviews, the showrunner shared that his father, a fisherman by trade, began smuggling drugs during hard times to support the family. The consequences of that decision left a mark on Williamson's childhood and have stayed with him since. 'This is the story I've been circling for decades,' he said, referencing how the themes of loss, identity, and buried secrets have been present throughout his career—from slasher films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer to coming-of-age dramas. The Waterfront offers a gritty, emotionally charged look at the cost of survival and legacy—with Williamson finally confronting a story he's been carrying most of his life.
Cosmopolitan
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
Netflix's 'The Waterfront' Cast and Characters, Explained
Dysfunctional families and legacy-related drama have been at the center of many of our binge-watch-worthy obsessions. Think: Succession, Yellowstone, House of the Dragon, Ransom Canyon, etc. This formula's been tried, tested, and true—and we can't seem to get enough of it. So Netflix is keeping it coming by serving viewers another suspenseful series involving money, power, big egos, and bloodshed. The Waterfront is a show inspired by true events. It follows the fictional Buckley family, who have dominated the coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina for decades. They control everything from the local fisheries to the restaurants. But an imminent threat could ruin their family's future forever. In an attempt to save their family from losing everything they've built, the Buckleys get involved in some shady business, which ultimately ends up dragging the whole clan deeper into the mud. They find themselves in the thick of it, and it becomes difficult to make their way out. Of course, the only way this story works is with its roster of talented actors. Here are the cast and characters of The Waterfront.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I just streamed Netflix's new crime drama series — and I'm shocked how much I want to binge-watch the rest
Netflix's new crime drama 'The Waterfront' is basically a more grown-up spin on 'Dawson's Creek.' It follows an extended cast of characters in a waterside town as their personal drama entangles with their somehow even more chaotic professional lives. While its cast may be comprised of (mostly) adults, the melodrama feels just as soapy as the problems faced by Dawson and his pals in the iconic teen drama series. Only this time, there are more references to drug smuggling and high-stakes criminal activity than fretting over not getting asked to prom. Considering 'The Waterfront' comes from Kevin Williamson, creator of 'Dawson's Creek' as well as 'The Vampire Diaries' and the 'Scream' movie franchise, it's not a huge surprise that its tone is more sudsy than serious. And yet, despite things verging on cheesy on more than one occasion, after starting the series this week, I feel a strong compulsion to binge the rest right now. If you're looking for a summer binge-watch, 'The Waterfront' might just be the perfect candidate, offering eight episodes stuffed with twists, betrayals, and 'shocking' revelations. It's a frothy throwback to a previous era of television, and I'm surprised how much that simple concept still appeals. Inspired by true events, 'The Waterfront' is set in the fictional North Caroline beach town of Havenport, a location controlled by the Buckley family. This chaotic clang has a tight grip on everything from the local restaurants to the fishing industry that keeps Havenport ticking. However, their empire is built on sand, and starts to crumble when patriarch Harlan (Holt McCallany) steps back from business after suffering a heart attack, and his reckless son Cane (Jake Weary) attempts to fill the void with some pretty disastrous results. It soon becomes clear that when you swim in murky waters, you don't come out clean. Thrown into the mix are the matriarchy of the family, Belle (Maria Bello), and daughter Bree (Melissa Benoist), a young mother struggling with addiction and battling over custody of her son. Let's just say, the Buckleys aren't exactly a picture of the perfect American family. As the authorities start investigating a double homicide, which could implicate the Buckleys in a series of narcotic crimes, the family finds themselves scrambling to cover their tracks, but their interpersonal fighting threatens to sink everything they've built even before the cops can uncover their secrets. It soon becomes clear that when you swim in murky waters, you don't come out clean. After streaming the first couple of episodes of 'The Waterfront,' one thing is very clear: This show is basically a slick-looking soap opera. It's stuffed with clunky dialogue exchanges, characters making decisions that in reality would lead them to ruin (but somehow work out), and a sense of escalation that sees the rabbit hole of chaos the Buckleys have dug only get bigger with each passing scene. It's certainly not awards-caliber drama. Yet, it's just self-aware enough to remain highly watchable. It's the sort of disposable TV that dominated the pre-streaming era of television. You could easily imagine the season being stretched to 20+ episodes, with a whole load of additional sideplots added to bulk things out. While the crime aspect is pretty prominent throughout — with Harlan and Cane's attempts to bring their unstable empire back under control taking the lion's share of the early screentime — the aspect that appealed to me most was actually Bree's attempts to connect with her estranged son, and her snarky snipe at her ex-husband. Benoist is a bit of a show stealer. Based on what I've consumed so far, 'The Waterfront' isn't a crime drama series that is going to live long in the memory. Heck, after just two episodes, the earliest moments are becoming a bit hazy, but I still feel surprisingly compelled to keep watching and see where this ride concludes. The show's combination of criminal dealings and relationship drama — in between drug dealings, Cane is trying to reconnect with a former flame — is a potent mix, and narrative wrinkles are dished out at a frequent enough clip that you can mostly gloss over the often hamfisted scripting and the times where the plot askews logic in favour of a big twist. 'The Waterfront' has arrived on Netflix at just the right time. Its beachside setting and its easy-watching nature feels fitting for the summer months. It's a Netflix original series you can consume in a relatively short amount of time, mostly enjoy while it lasts, and then move on without any lingering thoughts. It's probably not going to be ranked in many best-of-the-year lists. But that's not necessarily a deal-breaker. At least for me, I'm happy to make room in my streaming schedule for a show that offers intrigue, even if I can already tell it's not going to be a show that lives long in the memory. At least in the moment, there's enough soapy substance to keep me invested, and I'm curious to see where the Buckleys end up by the final episode. If you're itching for a Netflix show you can tear through in just a few evenings, or a single weekend, then 'The Waterfront' should fit the bill nicely. It's not going to leave the enduring legacy of some of Kevin Williamson's previous work, but it's pretty watchable, even if you can excuse some hokey dialogue. Meanwhile, if you're looking for more streaming options, check out our guide to everything added to Netflix in June 2025, which includes plenty of bingeable shows and original movies. Watch "The Waterfront" on Netflix now
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Kevin Williamson returns to North Carolina with ‘The Waterfront,' but with less soapy fun than ‘Dawson's Creek'
A hijacking at sea opens the first episode, setting the tone for the fairly generic crime story to come, as the once-powerful Buckley family faces off against various ruthless underworld kingpins. There are no Buckleys on the commandeered vessel, though, and family patriarch Harlan (Holt McCallany) is introduced in bed with a woman who isn't his wife, possibly having a heart attack after overindulging in sex and booze. There's nothing new about this situation for Harlan's wife Belle (Maria Bello), who nods to the mistress as she arrives to take care of her husband. (L to R) Humberly González as Jenna Tate and Jake Weary as Cane Buckley. Dana Hawley/Netflix/DANA HAWLEY/NETFLIX That scene hints at a playful dynamic that only intermittently returns during the rest of the season, as the Buckleys are consumed by the dangers of their ill-advised smuggling operation. At first, lumbering failson Cane (Weary) is in charge of the drug running, but the opening boat attack proves that he's in over his head, and he soon seeks help from his father, who has been trying to leave his own criminal past behind. It doesn't take long to get the whole family involved, including recovering-addict sister Bree (Melissa Benoist) and even her dopey teenage son Diller (Brady Hepner). Advertisement The kid's main function is to be a constant Diller in distress, and the Buckleys in general do not live up to their supposed reputation as shrewd dealmakers. They find themselves outmatched by one murderous drug lord after another, always bumbling their way toward survival just until the next threat arises. Topher Grace enlivens the stock crime storyline when he pops up in the fourth episode as disturbingly friendly heroin supplier Grady, who brags that he's been diagnosed as a narcissistic sociopath. Grady quickly falls into his own repetitive pattern, though, offering generous terms only to turn violent when he makes more urgent demands. (L to R) Topher Grace as Grady, Josh Crotty as Nate, and Brady Hepner as Diller Hopkins in "The Waterfront." Dana Hawley/Netflix/DANA HAWLEY/NETFLIX Meanwhile, the campy soap opera continues in the background, although it's increasingly out of place as the dead bodies pile up. Cane is torn between his picture-perfect wife Peyton (Danielle Campbell) and his more grounded ex-girlfriend Jenna (Humberly González), who returns to town to care for her ailing father and take over the family hardware store. A late-season bonding scene between the two women delivers a satisfyingly sharp catharsis, but it comes off as slightly absurd when the man they both love is simultaneously being menaced by armed thugs. Bree has it even worse, complaining about being sidelined by her family only for the show to do the same thing to her. Her addiction functions as a plot device to connect her with a shady DEA agent who's nosing around the Buckley family's suspicious finances, and her fraught relationship with Diller is poorly developed, with vague references to a past alcohol-fueled mishap that led to her burning down their house. Her custody battle with her ex-husband amounts to a handful of shouting matches before she's back playing catch-up with her family's nefarious deeds. Advertisement As the soft-spoken but savvy matriarch, Maria Bello gives the show's best performance — and is the only actor to attempt a credible Southern accent — but her Belle too has to take a backseat to her male relatives. Her brief dalliance with a real-estate developer played by Dave Annable gives her a spark of sensual energy, but that also eventually plays into the overarching criminal enterprise. Annable's presence is a reminder that 'The Waterfront' could have turned out like his enjoyably cheesy ABC soap 'Brothers & Sisters,' with enough intricate family dynamics that the escalating crime plot wouldn't be necessary. Instead, Netflix appears to be positioning the show as the new 'Ozark,' but it's not dark or nasty enough to emulate that hit thriller. It more closely recalls Netflix also-ran 'Bloodline,' a Southern-set family crime drama with a fantastic cast and mostly inert drama. 'You're either all-in or dead,' Harlan tells Cane as the younger Buckley wavers on their criminal activities. 'The Waterfront' goes all in, but too often that leaves its most entertaining elements dead in the water. THE WATERFRONT Starring: Holt McCallany, Jake Weary, Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist. On Netflix Advertisement
