Netflix Cancels Popular Crime Drama ‘The Waterfront’ – What Went Wrong?

Netflix made an unexpected and disappointing decision to end its crime drama series  The Waterfront after just one season. The series premiered on June 19, 2025 to a robust start, quickly breaking 11 million views in the first week, and remaining five weeks in Netflix’s global Top 10 reporting with English language series, including three weeks at number one before being overtaken by the last season of Squid Game. 

Created by Kevin Williamson, who is behind Dawson’s Creek and Scream, The Waterfront follows the Buckley family as they operate a fishing business in the North Carolina coastal town of Havenport. The show narrates their trials and tribulations as they try to save their fishing business while operating in a drug smuggling world. The show's cast includes Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist, and Jake Weary.Williamson imagined the show running for three seasons, and season two to be very involved with new characters and subplots.

Why did the Show get Cancelled?

To the dismay of the fans, Netflix decided to cancel it after the first season. The cancellation came as a result of Netflix’s internal benchmarks not being satisfied, particularly related to social media engagement with audiences. Fans expressed disappointment after it ended in a cliffhanger with unresolved storylines.

 Fans and Stars React to Netflix Cancelling ‘The Waterfront’

The Waterfront was more than a usual crime drama. It explored loyalty to family, personal sacrifice, and ethics and morality that could emotionally engage any audience. Fans are missing out because the abrupt cancellation halted a show with promise of having even more complex narratives than the first season offered.

One of the best shows….poor decision this is awful !

— StevenB (@pomodoro414) August 27, 2025

Future Projects for the Cast and Crew

The cast and crew continue to be active in the industry. Holt McCallany, who played Harlan Buckley, will be starring in the 2026 french project Guru and was reported to have no involvement with Quentin Tarantino's next project. Kevin Williamson is still working in film and television and even returned to the Scream franchise to rewrite its upcoming installment.

Final Thoughts on ‘The Waterfront’ Cancellation

The runtime of The Waterfront was brief, but it certainly left an imprint. The combination of a gripping story with expansive potential, supporting characters played fantastically and solid performances throughout, is what fans will remember most (unless we get lucky enough to experience more Buckley family one day). The unexpected cancellation of The Waterfront reflects the unpredictable process of the entertainment industry and is an excellent reminder of how fleeting even the most popular and heavily-promoted titles can be in a given landscape. As fans, we can look forward to tying up loose ends in whatever way is to come for the Buckley family and be in the world that was created for us.