Latest news with #crimeDrama
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Netflix's Crime Drama ‘The Waterfront' Was Inspired By Real Life Events
Holt McCallany and Maria Bello in 'The Waterfront' on Netflix. Series creator and showrunner Kevin Williamson drew inspiration from his father's past mistakes while writing the Netflix crime drama The Waterfront. The result is a gripping and dynamic tale about one family's misguided approach to resolving their financial troubles. Set in coastal North Carolina, the story of the prominent Buckley clan is told over eight episodes, each packed with twists, turns, and cliffhangers that will keep you hooked. It's one of the best new shows in years and is reminiscent of classic family dramas, The Sopranos and Ray Donovan, in that there is nothing the Buckleys will not do to preserve their legacy. Williamson, who has had a string of hit TV shows including Scream, Dawson's Creek, and The Vampire Diaries, sat down in an interview before the series premiered on June 19 to talk about his dad's mistakes, which cost the family dearly. First, he clarified that the Buckleys are fictional, but their circumstances are not entirely made up. The Buckleys are a wealthy family on the verge of losing their fishing empire. They've ruled Havenport, North Carolina, dominating everything from the local fishing industry to the town's restaurant scene. Jake Weary, Danielle Campbell, and Melissa Benoist in 'The Waterfront' on Netflix. Their once-profitable family business faces financial ruin when patriarch Harlan Buckley (Holt McCallany) suffers from two heart attacks. To keep the family businesses afloat, his wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) attempt to sell some precious land, knowing Harlan would be devastated. They also get into the drug smuggling business with some very unsavory characters, including drug kingpin Grady, played brilliantly by Topher Grace. What was meant to be a temporary fix quickly becomes a nightmare they cannot escape. Harlan attempts to take control of the spiraling situation as the Buckleys' daughter, Bree (Melissa Benoist), who is an addict in recovery and has lost custody of her son Diller (Brady Hepner), soon finds herself entangled in a complicated relationship that could threaten the family's future. As Williamson explained, the events surrounding this fictitious family were inspired by his father's misdeeds. He took creative license to explore the lengths people will go to when their legacy is at stake. Williamson, who grew up in North Carolina, filmed the show in Southport, which is near Wilmington. He also filmed two of his biggest hit series, Dawson's Creek and I Know What You Did Last Summer, there. 'I'm very familiar with North Carolina because I grew up about two hours from there. There was a real Dawson's Creek where I grew up.' He then described the impetus for this story. 'My dad was a fisherman, and I come from a long line of fishermen,' he said, clarifying that though this story and family are completely fictional, his dad's real-life troubles inspired it. 'My dad got into some trouble in the 1980s. He was a fisherman, and it was tough. The regulations and the government quotas that they were putting on the fishermen at the time…he just couldn't make a living. And for a lot of fishermen, the business went away. If you look at the percentages of where we were and where we are today, and now with the import business and how you can get fresh fish from other countries, the American fisherman is growing extinct. My dad was falling on rough times, and someone offered him a chance to make some money on the down-low by smuggling some drugs, and he did it.' Williamson paused as he reflected on his father. 'He was a very good man who was trying to support his family.' He explained that this was not a one-time incident and led to a multi-year prison sentence, of which he served 11 months in a minimum security prison. He reiterated that his father was a good family man who made mistakes. 'I think when it comes to feeding and supporting your family, you would do anything.' Williamson described this family drama as very much like Dawson's Creek in that both were inspired by his experience growing up on a creek in North Carolina. "I love stories where a family, in this case, the Buckley clan, hits hard times. In this story, they try to steer the ship in the other direction.' The drug smuggling world, they quickly learn, is like quicksand; you cannot just dip your toe in without your entire body getting immersed in the mess. To extricate themselves from Grady's unrelenting grip, they do some pretty horrendous things. Jake Weary and Melissa Benoist in 'The Waterfront' on Netflix. Harlan, his wife Belle, and their children Cane and Bree each cross moral lines when it comes to saving the family as they get deeper and deeper into the world of crime. For Williamson, this was an examination into humanity. 'I wanted to explore the duality of life. You know, we're not this or that. We're this and something else. There's a duality to us; we are light and dark. I wanted to explore that in the context of a family that's challenged with crisis, because I think everyone today is challenged in some way.' While not making excuses for his characters' choices, Williamson points to the financial challenges many people face. 'We live in the gig economy era, and everyone's looking for a side hustle just to make ends meet, and this family has a history in this world.' Each family member does something they never thought they would or could, but it's all for the good of the family. McCallany, Benoist, and Weary discussed their characters in a sit-down interview. Holt McCallany in 'The Waterfront' on Netflix. McCallany described Harlan as 'a very imperfect man in many ways,' but explained his good intentions. 'He does a lot of things that a lot of people would consider morally ambiguous, but at the same time, I think that he loves his family very deeply. They're the most important thing in the world to him. And so, at the end of the day, the decisions that he makes come from a place of love.' When asked to talk about her character, Bree, Benoist said she found a way to understand and relate to her. She's complex, and despite feeling betrayed by her family, when push comes to shove, she does something extreme to save them. 'I don't think she likes herself, and I think that's a force for a lot of her behavior. The entire time that we were shooting this, I found myself defending her time and time again because I could see that this person was in so much pain. She has a lot of her father in her, and she so desperately wants to be loved and accepted by her family.' Bree's motivation, added Benoist, was her son. 'She wants to atone for all these terrible things that she's done to him. She's trying to make up for all of that. Not just with him, but the rest of her family as well. She has a cross to bear.' As for Cane, who got the family into this drug-smuggling mess, Weary said, 'He's a victim of circumstance and now he's trying to repair his family's legacy.' When asked whether there would be another season, Williamson was quick to answer. 'I'm ready for a second season, because I think we're just getting started.' He wants to keep exploring that gray area between good and bad. 'I love the idea of good people doing bad things. The Buckleys are good people, but they cross the line and the line keeps moving in the show. Once you cross that line, can you come back, and is there salvation?'
The Review Geek
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Has The Waterfront been renewed for Season 2? Here's what we know:
Renewed or Cancelled? The Waterfront is the latest soapy crime drama on Netflix, armed with a dysfunctional family, a simple premise and an intriguing cast of characters. Having watched the first season in its entirety, you may be wondering if this one has been renewed or cancelled. Well, wonder no more! What is The Waterfront about? The Waterfront is a Southern-set Netflix drama that follows the Buckley family, once rulers of Havenport's fishing industry. After patriarch Harlan Buckley suffers multiple heart attacks, the family business starts to sink. In a desperate bid to stay afloat, Harlan's wife Belle and their son Cane secretly get involved in drug smuggling—drawing the attention of the DEA after a major shipment disappears. As the season progresses, this dynamic takes on a slightly more sinister edge, as Harlan is pulled back into the company and the pair start working with shady characters. We have extended coverage of The Waterfront across the site, including recaps for every episode. You can find those HERE! Has The Waterfront been renewed for Season 2? At the time of writing, The Waterfront has not been renewed for season 2. Generally Netflix would gauge numerous metrics before renewing a show, including how many people initially watch it and then looking at the drop-off rate. With some shows, cancellations or renewals happen quickly. Other times, it can take months before a decision over a show's future is made. So far, Aniela has had a mixed reaction online from critics and audiences alike. Given the way this show is set up, and the ending we receive, we're predicting that this will be renewed for a second season. The series has lots of potential, and we also know that Netflix tend to shine a much more favourable light on soapy dramas like this. Having said that, we do also know that completion rate is a massive metric for these streamers so that could play a pivotal role here. For now, we'll have to wait and see what happens so take our prediction with a pinch of salt! What we know about season 2 so far: Barely anything is known about The Waterfront season 2 at this point given Netflix haven't officially renewed or cancelled this one. Given the first season's conclusion, it does seem likely to get the nod for another season though but we'll have to wait and see. Seeing Cane and Harlan find newfound respect for each other, while Diller and Bree also manage to go from estranged to respecting each other are two of the better moments for the finale. When it comes to Belle though, it seems like she's prepped to be the new leader and it will almost certainly cause friction with Harlan. And what is Peyton planning? She seems way too calm after everything that's taken place with her husband; she could also be planning something too. The final episode does end on a pretty big cliffhanger here so if this is picked up, we can expect another 8 episodes, and perhaps more dramatic mishaps and a new player in the drug game too.. We will update this page when more information becomes available, so be sure to check this page out in the near future. Would you like to see The Waterfront return for a second season? What's been your favourite part of the show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Mail & Guardian
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Power, blood and spirits: Inside season 3 of Kings of Jo'Burg
Kingpin: Mo Masire, played by Zolisa Xaluva, in a scene from Kings of Jo'Burg season 3, which is on Netflix. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix There is no doubt that the team at Ferguson Films know how to create action in a gripping crime drama. Mzansi Magic's The Queen and Rockville are thrilling examples. In Netflix's Kings of Jo'Burg franchise they add an element of the supernatural. In the first season, which premiered in 2020, viewers were taken into the underworld of a Johannesburg criminal family, the Masires. Created by the late Shona Ferguson, who played kingpin Simon Masire in season 1, the series follows the Masires as they navigate power struggles, betrayals and supernatural forces. Led by Veronica Masire (Connie Ferguson) and Mo Masire (Zolisa Xaluva), in season 3, we see the family's continued rule over the criminal underworld, while dealing with a supernatural family curse and a new contender threatening to bring their empire to its knees. The rival gang, headed by Gavin Salat (Clint Brink), has declared war on the Masires in a bid to establish dominance in Johannesburg. To defend their turf, the Masires make a deal with their former enemy Aliko Bajo, played by Nigerian actor Enyinna Nwigwe. Executive producer Connie Ferguson and US co-executive producer Samad Davis continue their aim to create a show with a global reach. Thus, the casting for the franchise seems strategic with the inclusion of actors from South Africa, Nigeria and the US. Similar to previous seasons, which included American actors Terri J Vaughn and Michael Anthony, in this season we see new characters, such as Isador played by New York-born Malik Yoba. At first, I was sceptical about this all-star cast fulfilling my expectations, especially in the first season. But, rest assured, this is a serious series with a serious cast. With the exception of Lester's (Abdul Khoza) trivial jokes, there is no comic relief here. The overall tone from the characters, the soundtrack, and even the locations, is riveting, ominous and tense. There is no darker character than the menacing Gavin Salat who elevates the danger and supernatural factor. Complex and cold, with a robot-like wife on his side, Salat is Cape Town's saint by day and devil by night, leading a wide drug distribution network that includes prisons. Similar to Masire's Mermaid, Salat's supernatural entity is called Oom. Drawing from South African cultural heritage, Salat's gang members are tattooed with an eland — the spirit animal of the Khoisan. It is these spiritual symbols and mythical figures that set this franchise apart from what South African audiences have seen before. Unlike the Nigerian and Asian film industry, supernatural mythology is not broadly explored in South Africa. Growing up, my cousins and I were scared to death by drama series like Lesilo Rula (1987) and Ubizo (2007). Watching my grandparents' black-and-white TV, even the scenes with witches and dark spirits in Henry Cele's Shaka Zulu (1986) shook me as a boy. In recent times there have been a few films that drew inspiration from local folklore and beliefs. Norman Maake's recent award-winning Sebata: The Beast, 8: A South African Horror Story and Vuyani Bila's Deep Face, for instance, explore ghosts, spirits and other supernatural entities. A common denominator in the horror-supernatural genre is that the monsters are representative of unresolved traumas. When triggered by life events, we experience life as 'horror' as those past 'monsters' have been awakened. Kings of Jo'Burg challenges us to think about the monsters that lurk in our past and present, be it unresolved childhood traumas, envy, corrupt thoughts or fear. These negative emotions and energies, when undealt with, can turn people — alive or in the afterlife — into disruptive entities, hungry for blood and souls. The series made me wonder if family inheritances of spiritual gifts is a curse or blessing. Through The Mermaid and Oom, the series explores the idea of family legacies and spiritual warfare in protecting and enriching the family. In my village days as a child, we heard stories of shop owners burying human skulls and hands, with bony fingers creepily calling customers to purchase. Stories of people sleeping with snakes in their homes to gain success. Stories of businessmen and politicians bathing and drinking all sorts of concoctions in the shadows to amass more power and wealth. Kings of Jo'Burg prompts us to check our personal spiritual blind spots and our lineage. As hard as it might be to ask our elders about our family history, rituals and beliefs, the assignment to this generation is to ask those difficult questions, regardless. If we want to break generational curses, and embrace the beauty of family spiritual gifts, lifting the lids becomes of utmost importance. The supernatural aside, the action in series 3 is enthralling. In last year's Heart of the Hunter, a Netflix production also starring Ferguson, viewers saw how big-budget production can push the boundaries of action when it comes to fight scenes, car chases, weapons and explosions. The South African film and TV industry is indeed improving on that front. I was, however, not moved by the hyperbolic scoring in convincing audiences of the danger and thrill. Sure, it's a crime-action series, with plenty of bullets, blood, demons and drugs, but did the soundtrack have to be ominous in every scene? The overall sound design was off-putting, especially in the calmer and more emotive scenes. In one scene, when Veronica and Keneilwe (Thembi Seete) are talking about the glow of pregnancy, the music is imposingly eerie and mismatched. What am I as the viewer supposed to feel, exactly? The scene between Outjie (Maurice Paige) and Mo in the prison cafeteria also could have been made without music to allow the actors' prowess to naturally shine. The visual effects supplied by Pau Meyer from Luma Animation Studio, also the principal VFX supplier for M-Net's Shaka iLembe, immensely elevated the supernatural features in this season. The franchise has come a long way from the questionable camerawork, ambitious storyline and poor character development in the first season. Season 3 is bolder and more menacing — glowing eyes and all. Kings of Jo'Burg season 3 is streaming on Netflix.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Has The Waterfront Season 2 Been Renewed or Canceled?
The Waterfront revolves around the Buckley family and their domination of Havenport, North Carolina, encompassing the fishing industry and the restaurant business. However, the fishing empire begins to crumble, and the patriarch Harlin tries his best to keep it afloat. Following the show's premiere, fans have become increasingly curious about its future. So, is The Waterfront canceled or renewed for a Season 2? Here is everything you need to know about the future of the crime drama series. As of now, The Waterfront Season 2 has neither been renewed nor canceled by Netflix. Season 1 premiered on June 19, 2025. It has a total of 8 episodes. Fans were looking forward to extra episodes due to Netflix's somewhat newer strategy of releasing its shows' seasons in parts. The streaming giant followed this pattern with numerous shows, including Bridgerton, Emily in Paris, Outer Banks, and Beauty in Black, among others. The upcoming season of Stranger Things is also scheduled to release in three parts. However, The Waterfront is following Netflix's regular strategy of releasing all its episodes at once on the scheduled date. Additionally, there is a curiosity regarding the show's future. It is yet to be renewed for a second installment, and it hasn't been canceled either. The Waterfront's potential next season announcement might take some time, as the show has just premiered. Based on its critical reception and viewership, Netflix is likely to decide on a renewal later this year. Crime dramas tend to do well in terms of viewership if they are executed well. Furthermore, The Waterfront's storyline also has the potential to be explored in more installments, with new challenges and drama surrounding the Buckley family. The Waterfront's cast features Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, and Melissa Benoist, among others. The post Has The Waterfront Season 2 Been Renewed or Canceled? appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Fight for Tomorrow movie review: Patrick Tam anchors surprisingly uplifting gangster drama
3.5/5 stars A potentially corny tale involving old-fashioned gangland heroics and an ex-convict father's belated redemption is told with a great deal of nuance and heart in Fight for Tomorrow, a refreshingly uplifting crime drama by Hong Kong writer-director Chan Tai-lee ( Tomorrow is Another Day ). In a rare leading role that marks his best performance in years, veteran actor Patrick Tam Yiu-man ( Breakout Brothers ) leaves a vivid impression as Shek Sam-long, a former mob boss who was once known for his ferocious attitude, but has since lost both his marriage and fortune after several years in prison. Living alone in a shabby rooftop flat and stuck in a valet parking job with a condescending boss, Sam-long's dream of starting a bar business of his own and turning his life around seems remote – especially as the Covid-19 pandemic has wrecked the economy and made it impossible for him to secure a loan. Play Then the former 'fighter' finds a renewed focus in his life when, after a foolish scuffle on the street, he is taken to the police station and somehow chances upon his long-estranged son, Shek Tau (Locker Lam Ka-hei, Smashing Frank ), or Stone, in the same room.
