Netflix has officially decided not to move forward with a second season of Kevin Williamson’s crime drama The Waterfront, Deadline has confirmed. The cast and crew have already been informed of the streamer’s decision.
A Surprising Cancellation
The news comes as a surprise, given that The Waterfront performed well in its debut season. The series spent five weeks in Netflix’s Global Top 10 for English-language shows, including an impressive three consecutive weeks at No. 1, peaking at 11.6M views during its first full week of release.
By comparison, Netflix recently renewed Ransom Canyon, which peaked at No. 2 with 9.4M views, and Forever, which reached No. 3 with 6.7M views. Both shows delivered lower numbers than The Waterfront, making the cancellation particularly unexpected.
Why Netflix Pulled the Plug
Despite its strong start, sources say Netflix’s decision factored in more than just total viewership. The streamer typically weighs performance versus cost, alongside completion rates, social media buzz, audience demographics, and awards potential. While insiders report that The Waterfront had a solid completion rate, Netflix executives reportedly felt it wasn’t high enough to justify a renewal — especially since the series was produced externally by Universal Television, rather than Netflix in-house.
The Show’s Story and Cast
The Waterfront centered on the powerful Buckley family of Havenport, North Carolina, who control the local fishing industry and restaurant scene. The story followed the family’s empire as it began to collapse when patriarch Harlan Buckley (Holt McCallany) suffered two heart attacks. His wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) took drastic measures to keep the family business afloat, while daughter Bree (Melissa Benoist) — a recovering addict — faced her own struggles.
The ensemble cast also included Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, and Brady Hepner, with Topher Grace appearing as a guest star. The series was executive produced by Kevin Williamson, Ben Fast, Michael Narducci, and Marcos Siega.
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Mixed Reviews
The Waterfront earned a 68% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the performances but noting its familiar family-drama tropes.
Netflix’s Renewal Streak
Over the past eight months, Netflix has renewed nearly 20 scripted series, including Untamed, Running Point, Dept. Q, Beauty in Black, Ransom Canyon, Forever, The Vince Staples Show, Devil May Cry, Bet, and Geek Girl. Unlike The Waterfront, many of these shows are Netflix originals, potentially giving them a renewal advantage.
Despite strong viewership and audience engagement, The Waterfront joins the list of Netflix one-season dramas. Its cancellation highlights the streamer’s tough renewal standards, especially for shows produced outside its own studio. Fans of the Buckley family’s dark saga will unfortunately not get to see the story continue.
