Move over Virgin River, there’s a new small-town drama making waves on Netflix — and it’s already topping the streaming charts. Introducing The Waterfront, a steamy, slow-burning family saga that’s being dubbed “Dawson’s Creek for grown-ups” and “Ozark meets Virgin River… with a splash of Yellowstone.”
Created by Scream and Dawson’s Creek mastermind Kevin Williamson, The Waterfront dives deep into the crumbling legacy of the Buckley family — coastal royalty in the fictional town of Havenport, North Carolina — as they cling to power amid scandal, tragedy, and a descent into crime.
So, What’s the Buzz All About?
At the heart of the story is Harlan Buckley (played by Mindhunter’s Holt McCallany), a once-mighty patriarch weakened by two heart attacks. As his wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) scramble to save their once-thriving fishing and restaurant empire, they make a dangerous pivot into drug smuggling — setting the stage for betrayal, murder, and buried secrets.
With an ensemble cast that also includes Melissa Benoist, Rafael L. Silva, Danielle Campbell, and Humberly Gonzalez, The Waterfront delivers eight hour-long episodes packed with morally grey characters, Southern gothic tension, and more than a few gasp-worthy twists.
Critics Are Divided — And That’s Part of the Fun
Despite dominating Netflix’s Top 10, The Waterfront is a classic case of “love it or hate it” television. Its 64% critic score and 71% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes paint a picture of a show that’s messy, melodramatic — and undeniably bingeable.
-
TIME calls it a “slow-burn Southern gothic tale rich with betrayal and moral ambiguity.”
-
Variety likens it to “the Netflix equivalent of a beach read – highly entertaining.”
-
The San Jose Mercury News declares it “a keeper because of the outrageous behavior of its morally compromised characters.”
-
New York Magazine adds that “there’s nothing quite like sensational, just-this-side-of-campy organized crime to buoy you through the sticky, grimy days of summer.”
But not everyone’s riding the wave.
The Hollywood Reporter shrugs it off as “unconvincing”, while The Independent labels it “television played as safe as it comes.”
IndieWire doesn’t hold back either, grading it a D+ and slamming it as “a shallow reflection of better shows” and “all vibes and no soul.”
Should You Stream It?
If you’re a fan of soapy, sun-drenched drama à la Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, or Bloodline, The Waterfront might just be your next guilty pleasure. Think: beach read turned TV show, with coastal chaos, family feuds, and just enough grit to keep things spicy.
So, is The Waterfront Netflix’s new Virgin River?
That depends on what you’re craving. It may not have Mel and Jack’s quiet charm, but for those willing to embrace the drama, dive into the absurd, and soak up the summer scandal — it might be just the escape you’re looking for.
