Entertainment
The Waterfront Season 2 Canceled Despite 11.6M Views
Table of Contents – The Waterfront Season 2
Wilmington Reels as Netflix Axes Hit Show ‘The Waterfront’ After One Season
In a stunning move that has disappointed fans and impacted the local film industry, Netflix has canceled the Wilmington-shot drama ‘The Waterfront’ after a single season, despite its massive viewership success.
The news, confirmed by multiple entertainment industry reports including Deadline, comes as a shock. The gritty family drama, which followed the Buckley family’s entanglement in the drug trade to support their fishing business, was a certified hit for the streaming giant. It dominated Netflix’s Global Top 10 list for an impressive five weeks, even securing the number one spot for three consecutive weeks. The series peaked at a staggering 11.6 million views in its first full week.
The cancellation is a heavy blow to the Wilmington-area film workforce, which had pinned hopes on a second season for much-needed jobs. The region has experienced an extraordinarily slow year, with no major productions filming since last April.
Creator Kevin Williamson, known for his deep ties to Southeastern North Carolina through projects like Dawson’s Creek and the Scream franchise, expressed his mixed emotions on Instagram. He called the experience “one of the best of my life” and celebrated the “dream cast and crew,” while acknowledging his sadness that the Buckley family’s story ends here.
The series boasted a powerful ensemble cast. Holt McCallany (Mindhunter) portrayed the hardened patriarch, Harlan Buckley, while Topher Grace (That ‘70s Show) delivered a scene-stealing performance as the unhinged drug dealer, Grady. Maria Bello (NCIS) co-starred as the complex matriarch, Belle.
While Netflix has not publicly disclosed its reasons for cancellation, industry analysts note that such decisions are based on a complex algorithm that goes beyond raw viewership. Factors like the show’s completion rate (how many viewers finished the season), production costs relative to viewership, and critical reception all play a role.
The Waterfront received generally positive, if somewhat mixed, reviews. Critics praised its binge-worthy, compelling narrative and strong performances but were divided on some of its more dramatic plot twists.
The show also served as a visual love letter to the North Carolina coast. Locations across Wilmington, Southport, and Wrightsville Beach were featured prominently, giving the series its distinct and authentic coastal atmosphere.
For now, the first and only season of The Waterfront remains available for streaming on Netflix, a bittersweet reminder of a show that captured audience attention but, ultimately, not a renewal.