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Season 1 – The Waterfront

Play trailer 2:07 Poster for Season 1 – The Waterfront Jun 2025 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
68% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 68% 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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Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) Aug 18
3/5
Neither the escalations nor resolutions are particularly striking, but on this waterfront the churning complications get by via never relenting. Go to Full Review
Wenlei Ma The Nightly (AU) Jun 30
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. Go to Full Review
Sherin Nicole RogerEbert.com Jun 23
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. Go to Full Review
Karina Adelgaard Heaven of Horror Aug 11
4/5
I was hooked on it immediately. Not least thanks to the wonderfully fleshed-out characters that all tend to operate in a lot of gray areas. Go to Full Review
Steve Murray ArtsATL Aug 7
Yeah, it’s all very soapy but expertly done. You could call it a Low Country slow boil, except for the sudden pops of violence. Go to Full Review
John Stark Mac the Movie Guy Jul 29
76/10
Topher Grace’s oddly memorable turn is worth the watch alone. Weird, but ultimately brilliant casting. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Lorna M @Pineapplehead 6d Brilliant! Loved it from beginning to finish, thriller will no dull moments! Looking forward to season 2 See more Terence B. @Terence1986 Jan 8 I am currently starting episode 7 “Nice Try” of “The Waterfront” and I am impressed and still intrigued. Awesome series so far! Gives me the same vibes as “Bloodline” which I also loved. Wouldn’t hesitate to watch this if you’re pondering if you should or not! See more Marisa C Nov 29 This is a great show especially if you liked Ozark. They didn’t give it enough time or hype. Only finding out about it now. See more Luke W Oct 30 This series was pretty good. See more Todd B Oct 26 The series is entertaining and holds your attention. It has a lot of the DNA of the recent family crime dramas like Bloodline and Ozark. The plot is good, and the acting is well done. All the characters are interesting to a degree. The writing is very boilerplate, but the series moves at a steady pace. It is a lot like shows from yesteryear, like Dallas and Dynasty. The main villain, Grady, was a nice touch. Very original. I kept looking forward to the next episode, but it is not something to binge watch. See more A. Michael U Oct 8 "The Waterfront" is bingeable, despite the temptation to multitask while enjoying it. For those engaged in household chores like doing the dishes or making the beds, this show provides a perfect backdrop - a visual distraction that requires minimal attention. You can listen to the dialogue while keeping yourself busy, and you likely won’t miss much. The acting and script of "The Waterfront" feel generic, marked by a tangle of subplots that obscures the main storyline. The whole series would be getting better ratings if the whole show would be condensed into five or six episodes rather than the eight being offered. However, not all is lost within the series. One commendable aspect is its robust soundtrack, featuring an impressive array of roots music. Artists like Kaleo, Chris Stapleton, and Larkin Poe serve to enrich the viewing experience. This musical element earned the show an extra star in my estimation. As of October 2025, there’s no news regarding a second season, leaving viewers uncertain about the show's future. See more Read all reviews
The Waterfront — Season 1

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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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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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