The Waterfront: Family Drama Meets Crime in Coastal North Carolina

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – The new Netflix series, The Waterfront, has quickly taken the streaming charts by storm, reaching No. 1 shortly after its release. This drama, created by Kevin Williamson, revolves around the Buckley family, a powerful local dynasty facing a significant financial decline.

Set in a picturesque seaside town, The Waterfront portrays the Buckleys, who own a fishery, a restaurant, and numerous beautiful homes along the coast. Harlan Buckley, played by Holt McCallany of Mindhunter fame, is the stern patriarch determined to maintain his family’s legacy despite their struggles.

The series, unlike Williamson’s previous teen dramas such as Dawson’s Creek, dives into adult themes, including violence and complicated relationships. Hollywood veteran Maria Bello stars as Belle, Harlan’s wife, who tolerates her husband’s flaws while grappling with her own moral dilemmas.

The son, Cane Buckley, portrayed by Jake Weary, struggles with the dark legacy of his family’s past, while his sister Bree, played by Melissa Benoist, is a recovering addict with deep-seated resentment towards her family. Their stories intertwine, revealing the familial bonds that are tested by their grim circumstances.

As the Buckleys attempt to salvage their lives and businesses, they find themselves drawn back into the drug trade, introducing a character named Grady, portrayed by Topher Grace. Grady is a charming yet menacing drug dealer who disrupts the family’s reestablished moral order, pushing them into dangerous territory.

The interactions between Harlan and Grady highlight a tense dynamic as they negotiate power and influence. Moments of dark humor punctuate their exchanges, contrasting the otherwise serious tone of the show. For instance, Grady’s unsettling demeanor is emphasized during a hunting scene where he humorously demonstrates his ignorance of firearms.

The Waterfront sets up intricate family relationships, particularly between Harlan and Belle, who are both complicit in each other’s missteps yet united against external threats. This tension hints at deeper conflicts that may evolve in future seasons, suggesting that the battles within the family could rival those against outside foes.

The series engages viewers with its blend of rich storytelling, complex characters, and moral ambiguity, setting itself apart as a new twist on the genre of family-centric dramas.