Netflix Unveils Tense New Trailer for The Waterfront, a Southern Gothic Family Drama

By DaMarko Webster

Kevin Williamson, the master of tension-filled storytelling (Scream, Dawson’s Creek), returns to his North Carolina roots with The Waterfront, a slow-burning family drama that takes viewers into the choppy waters of power, desperation, and legacy. The Netflix original series premieres June 19 and boasts a powerhouse cast including Melissa Benoist, Maria Bello, Holt McCallany, and Jake Weary.

Spanning eight episodes, The Waterfront centers on the Buckley family, a dynasty whose once-mighty fishing empire in Havenport, North Carolina, is rapidly deteriorating. Inspired by true events, the series explores what happens when a family built on dominance and tradition begins to fracture under pressure — and just how far its members will go to survive.

Harlan Buckley (McCallany), the hard-nosed patriarch, is sidelined by a pair of heart attacks, leaving the family’s sprawling enterprise vulnerable. In his absence, wife Belle (Bello) and son Cane (Weary) scramble to keep the family legacy alive — even if it means compromising everything they once stood for. Meanwhile, daughter Bree (Benoist), a recovering addict grappling with lost custody of her son, is drawn into a risky romance that threatens to unravel what’s left of the Buckley name.

Set against the windswept coastlines of North Carolina — the same backdrop that helped define Dawson’s Creek — the show blends Southern Gothic grit with contemporary tension. It’s an atmospheric, morally murky tale of inheritance, loyalty, and consequence.

Williamson executive produces alongside Ben Fast (Outerbanks Entertainment), Michael Narducci, and Marcos Siega, with Universal Television backing the production.

Rounding out the ensemble are Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, and Brady Hepner. Guest stars include Topher Grace, Dave Annable, Michael Gaston, Gerardo Celasco, and Zach Roerig.

As the Buckleys fight to keep their name above water, The Waterfront invites audiences to ask: How much is a legacy worth when your soul is on the line?