Netflix Cancels The Waterfront After Just One Season Despite Strong Viewership
Kevin Williamson’s crime drama, The Waterfront 8 episode series was canceled by Netflix right after its release on 19 June. The waterfront cast members are Hold McCallany, Maria Bello, Rafael L. Silva, and Melissa Benoist. The story shows a powerful Buckley family in North Carolina caught up in some illegal business in order to protect their family. Their successful fishing business takes a dark turn, which turns interesting for their audience and many viewers compared it with the Netflix dramas Ozark and Bloodline, Reported in ScreenRant.
Strong Numbers, But No Renewal
Even though Netflix canceled The Waterfront, the series has impressively charted in Netflix’s global Top 10 list for five weeks. Deadline reported, Positioned at 1st in three consecutive weeks, and got 29.1 million views in a month just after its release. It surpassed the other series like Obliterated and Ramson Canyon —both still got renewed. The Waterfront remains at the top 10 for almost one month and five days, charted in 90 regions worldwide.
Industry insiders note that Netflix is hard on the outsider like Universal Television shows compared to its own production like Ramson Canyon and Forever. But the series got huge viewers, Netflix weighed the budget of the series, how many people completed the series, and audience engagement before making the decision to cancel, noted in Variety.
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Critical Reception And Unrealized Plans
Critics gave The Waterfront a positive review with 68% score but not outstanding on Rotten Tomatoes. Variety’s chief TV critic praised the family-oriented drama which was highly bingeable and possible to continue for next season. Despite the strong casting and Topher Grace’s special entry as guest got some praise, yet some negative reviews were received on the series characterization and some scenes.
Kevin Williamson had teased big plans for Season 2 of this series. The storyline highlights the powerful new rivals of the Parker family and sharper conflict in the Buckler family but unfortunately it will remain unrealized.
Cast And Crew React With Gratitude
According to whats-on-netflix, Kevin Williamson confirmed this news of Netflix cancellation on Instagram with showing gratitude to everyone involved in the making of the Waterfront:
“While I’m sad the Buckleys won’t be back for Season 2, I’m celebrating the joy that was Season 1. My heart is full of gratitude for all the people who brought their talents to the show both in NC and LA.”
Humberly González also commented on his post by saying “a stunning experience” and showing gratitude towards his fans.
A Notable Entry in Netflix’s Cancellation Streak
Netflix’s most-watched first-season cancellations added one more series, The Waterfront, series now ranks higher among 2025 Territory, PULSE, and The Residence. It challenges the viewers because Netflix has become more selective about renewing expensive scripted dramas.
According to TVLine, The series season 1 is a complete story of the Buckley family mix with crime, family drama, and southern intrigue, shows Williamson’s storytelling strengths and the increasing competition for its renewal of the second season.
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