The Waterfront cancelled by Netflix despite high ratings & Season 2 plans

Netflix has officially axed The Waterfront, the hit crime drama that enjoyed strong ratings this summer – and the creator had big plans for Season 2.

Created by Kevin Williamson (Scream, Dawson’s Creek, The Vampire Diaries), the series follows the Buckley family and their fishing empire in North Carolina. Holt McCallany (Mindhunter) plays Harlan, the family’s patriarch, starring alongside Melissa Benoist and Jake Weary.

In addition to solid reviews (68% score on Rotten Tomatoes), it garnered 24.4 million views in its first four weeks. That puts it above Ransom Canyon, as per What’s On Netflix, which was renewed for Season 2 earlier this year.

Netflix hasn’t said why the series was cancelled, with Deadline reporting that it “didn’t feel that the viewership and the completion rate were high enough to secure a renewal.”

What would have happened in The Waterfront Season 2

Netflix

Speaking to TVLine, Williamson was clear about seeing the last of Topher Grace’s Grady. “We wanted someone who was lovable and fun and funny… and to turn them into a psychopath. It’s a lot of fun. Give a funny man a gun and see what he does with it,” he said.

The second season would have dug into Cane and Buckley’s dynamic. “I don’t think they’ve gotten to the core answer of who they are to each other as father and son, but I do think Cane got an answer that he wanted,” Williamson told the outlet.

THE WATERFRONT has been canceled after a single season.

We had been hearing that Netflix did at one point intend to renew the show but it was confirmed overnight it won't be happening.

It's one of the most-watched Netflix cancelations in history.

More: https://t.co/yHdVjGDqCO pic.twitter.com/DJNWIkUUOD

— What's on Netflix (@whatonnetflix) August 26, 2025

“There’s a lot more understanding, but I don’t know if they’ve reconciled completely. There’s going to be more stumbling for them to do as father and son before they fully repair that relationship.”

Season 2 would have also explored the trauma in Bree’s past and Cane and Peyton’s next steps. “The journey for her is going to be, well, how does she fix things? How is she going to make her husband love her? I think it’s going to be a great journey for her. It’s going to be very surprising, and she’s going to take a few left turns,” Williamson explained.

Then there’s the small matter of Belle, who was in prime position to “really take the reins.”

Alas, we won’t see any of it. In a statement on social media, Williamson thanked Netflix for “taking a chance on a very personal story… it was one of the best experiences of my life.”

In the meantime, see what else is dropping this year with our 2025 TV show calendar.