Over the years, the thriller genre has established itself as one of the audience’s favorites. Its ability to generate tension, mystery, and unexpected twists makes it an addictive experience. In a landscape where immediacy dominates, miniseries have become the ideal format: compact, intense stories without filler that can be consumed in a weekend but stay in the mind for weeks. And when this cocktail is combined with being inspired by real events, the result is impossible to ignore.
This is the case of The Waterfront, the new Netflix miniseries that has captured the attention of millions of subscribers with its combination of family drama, crime, and secrets from the past. Written by Kevin Williamson, creator of hits like Scream and Dawson’s Creek, this production is presented as an emotional bomb with dark undertones that reveals how far a family can go to protect its legacy... even if it means crossing the line.
Between power, guilt, and redemption
Set in the fictional coastal city of Havenport, North Carolina, the story follows the Buckleys, a family that has built a small empire through fishing and the restaurant industry. However, the declining health of patriarch Harlan Buckley (Holt McCallany) and the pressure to keep the businesses afloat force his wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) to make desperate decisions. Meanwhile, daughter Bree (Melissa Benoist), who is battling addiction and has lost custody of her child, becomes entangled in a dangerous relationship that could jeopardize the future of the entire family.
What appears to be a story of business survival soon transforms into a spiral of crime, lies, and betrayal, where each member of the Buckley family must confront their own demons while trying to avoid total shipwreck.
Williamson, also an executive producer, claims that The Waterfront is his most personal work. Inspired by his own childhood, the creator revealed that his father, left without means after the collapse of the fishing industry in the 80s, was tempted to become a smuggler. “My dad—a good man—was forced to make illegal decisions to feed his family. That helped me get to college. This series is based on that story.”
A story as real as it is raw: when fiction is inspired by truth
With only 8 episodes, The Waterfront achieves what many long series fail to do: captivate, thrill, and excite without losing pace. Additionally, the cast led by Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist, and Jake Weary, brings a notable acting force that adds depth and nuances to complex, broken, yet incredibly human characters.
Described as a cross between Succession, Ozark, and Outer Banks, the series combines family drama with criminal suspense and wraps it all in a Southern aesthetic that adds even more tension. Since its premiere, The Waterfront has positioned itself as one of the most powerful proposals of the year, ideal for those who enjoy dense, emotionally charged plots with a taste of reality.