Netflix fans say gritty new family crime drama is 'phenomenal' and demand second season

The Waterfront, a riveting new family crime drama from the mind of Kevin Williamson, creator of Dawson's Creek and Scream, dropped all eight episodes last month.

It has already ascended into Netflix's global Top 10, racking up an impressive 11.6 million views.

Set against the blustery backdrop of North Carolina's coastline, the series delves into the lives of the influential but dwindling Buckley family and their once-dominant fishing dynasty.

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However, beneath the facade lurks a shadowy world filled with secrets, treachery, and criminal activity.

Viewers are drawing parallels between the show and Netflix's hit series Ozark, which similarly portrays an average family entangled in the criminal underworld.

Featuring '90s film star Holt McCallany, Coyote Ugly's Maria Bello, and Supergirl's Melissa Benoist, The Waterfront probes the sinister aspects of familial loyalty and the lengths people will go to safeguard a legacy, and audiences are hooked.

One thrilled fan on X (formerly Twitter) posted: "The Waterfront is definitely giving me Ozark vibes can't wait to dive in!" Another enthused: "I came for Melissa Benoist, stayed for the plot. Overall, really good show."

Over on Reddit, user Basic-Insect3214 commented: "I loved the show. As a standalone it was a good watch," while another chimed in, "It reminded me of Ozark... not quite as intense, but still solid."

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Viewer @VivQi perfectly encapsulated the sentiment: "Intense, chaotic, fast-paced and entertaining to watch!".

The online hype is real, and fans are clamoring for more. "We need season 2 of The Waterfront, please @Netflix," one fan implored.

Another chimed in: "If you're like me and you loved Ozark. Your next Netflix binge is The Waterfront. Crazy twists and turns like Ozark. It's phenomenal."

Director Williamson's personal history inspired The Waterfront. Raised in a coastal town, he comes from a lineage of seafarers; his father, Wade, was a fisherman, while his mother, Faye, worked at a hotel.

"I come from a family of fishermen-not just my dad, but the entire family," he revealed. "Everyone I knew was a fisherman."

The Waterfront delves into themes of betrayal and moral gray areas, which Williamson has consistently explored in his career. He has penned horror classics like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Reflecting on his past, Williamson told TIME, "I was the small-town weirdo. I was the kid who didn't belong and couldn't wait to get out. Then I got out, and all I wanted to do was write about it. I always told my dad I was going to write the story. He said, 'Wait until I'm dead.'".