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This Crime Drama Was Netflix’s No. 1 Show For 3 Weeks — and It’s Just Been Canceled After Just One Season
Bad news, “The Waterfront” fans: it looks like Kevin Williamson’s soapy Netflix crime drama is the latest show to be axed by the streaming service. That’s according to a report from Deadline, which today claimed that Netflix “won’t be proceeding with a second season” of the soapy crime drama.
This news comes roughly two months on from the series’ debut in June 2025, and in spite of the fact that “The Waterfront” was at one point the streamer’s top watch. Following its Netflix premiere on June 19, 2025, the Netflix original spent three weeks as the streamer’s No. 1 show, globally (according to Netflix’s Top 10 chart on Tudum).
Williamson has subsequently shared his reaction to the series in an Instagram story, where the “Dawson’s Creek” creator praised the series as “one of the best experiences of my life.”
Williamson wrote: “While I’m sad the Buckleys won’t be back for Season 2, I’m celebrating the joy that was Season 1. I had the pleasure of working with a dream cast and crew.”
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“My heart is full of gratitude for all the people who brought their talents to the show both in NC and LA. You were all amazing. Thank you to my partners at Universal TV.
“And thank you to Netflix for taking a chance on a very personal story. You were truly a joy to work with! It was one of the best experiences of my life! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you”, Williamson added.
“The Waterfront” was a family crime drama that revolved around the Buckley family as they worked to retain control of their North Carolina fishing empire.
The Buckleys ruled over Havenport for decades, but that empire started to crumble, and members of the family ventured into more dangerous waters to try and keep things afloat. The series starred Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Jake Weary, Melissa Benoist, and Brady Hepner, among others.
Critically, “The Waterfront” performed reasonably well; it’s currently Certified Fresh and sitting at a 68% on the review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes (from over 40 reviews), with a consensus that reads: “Grim and pulpy, “The Waterfront” traffics in clichés but injects them with enough bravado to make for a gripping binge.”
If this news has you on the hunt for your next Netflix watch, check out our round-up of the best Netflix shows for tons more streaming recommendations worthy of a spot on your watchlist.
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