If you’re hunting for a juicy new series to binge this weekend, The Waterfront might just float to the top of your list. It’s been dubbed ‘Dawson’s Creek for adults’—and with good reason. Created by Kevin Williamson, the very mind behind Dawson’s Creek, this brand-new Netflix drama swaps teenage angst for adult secrets, crumbling legacies, and an undercurrent of danger that runs just as deep as the ocean views of its setting.
Welcome to Havenport: A Town Drenched in Secrets
Set in the fictional seaside town of Havenport, North Carolina, The Waterfront plunges us into the lives of the Buckleys—a once-powerful family whose wealth and influence came from their fishing empire. But times have changed. The empire is fading, debts are rising, and the waters around the Buckleys have turned treacherous, both literally and metaphorically.
As their legacy slips through their fingers, the Buckleys take a desperate—and illegal—turn into the drug trade. The result? A gritty, atmospheric family saga packed with secrets, betrayal, crime, and generational conflict. If you were drawn into shows like The Perfect Couple or the many twist-laden Harlan Coben adaptations, The Waterfront is right in your wheelhouse.
A Cast of Fresh and Familiar Faces
What makes The Waterfront even more compelling is its cast. Leading the charge is Jake Weary (Animal Kingdom), joined by Melissa Benoist (Supergirl), Danielle Campbell (The Originals), Mario Bello (Prisoners), and Holt McCallany (Mindhunter). Their performances bring to life the raw emotional struggles and desperate decisions of a family trying to keep their name—and their secrets—afloat.
Each episode peels back a new layer, showing how far people are willing to go to protect what they believe is theirs. There are power struggles, hidden motives, and betrayals lurking behind every closed door in Havenport.
Critics Are Watching—and Talking
Although it holds a modest 67% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 3.9, many reviews highlight the show’s addictive storytelling and moody atmosphere. Margaret Lyons of The New York Times called it out for bringing “more murder to Netflix,” describing it as part of the Yellowstone family-drama tradition: sprawling land, deep-rooted legacy, hushed betrayals, and a cast of huffy men and clever, complicated women.
She writes: “The show is one of many to follow the Yellowstone model, a family saga of violence and secrets, of huffy men and sly women, of distinctive names. It is also about land that’s been in this family for generations, gosh darn it – land that’s our legacy if only the cruelties of debt and developers would abate.”
It’s familiar—but in the best possible way. The show knows exactly what it’s doing: serving drama with a slow burn and a side of family dysfunction.
A Visual and Emotional Escape
Stylistically, The Waterfront is a treat. The setting is haunting and beautiful, with scenes drenched in sea mist and old-money decay. There’s something about coastal dramas that feel inherently mysterious and emotionally raw. The show’s cinematography captures that perfectly—whether it’s a long shot of a creaky pier or the tight, tense dinner table conversations that leave viewers holding their breath.
And while the central plot revolves around the Buckleys’ descent into crime, it’s the smaller emotional moments—grief, guilt, pride, and resentment—that anchor the show in authenticity. You’re not just watching a thriller. You’re watching a family unravel and try to piece itself back together, one lie at a time.
Why You Should Stream It This Weekend
Yes, the Rotten Tomatoes score isn’t stellar. But let’s be honest—some of our favorite comfort watches aren’t critically perfect. The Waterfront is a perfect blend of soapy drama, moody mystery, and family tension. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it delivers exactly what weekend binge-watchers crave: drama, depth, and a sense of escape.
With only eight episodes, it’s an easy, satisfying binge. Perfect for a lazy Saturday when you’re hiding from the heat or just want to curl up with something moody and binge-worthy.
If you loved:
The Perfect Couple Bloodline Ozark Yellowstone
Then The Waterfront is your next stop.
So grab your snacks, silence your notifications, and dive headfirst into Havenport. Just be warned: once you enter the Buckleys’ world, it’s hard to pull yourself out.
Because sometimes, the most dangerous waters aren’t the ones we fish in—they’re the ones we’re born into.
