Where have you seen the cast of The Waterfront before? Career of the stars explored

Kevin Williamson created The Waterfront, one of the most prominent criminal drama series that premiered on Netflix on June 19, 2025. Set in a fictional North Carolina coastal community, the series follows the Buckley family. This is mainly as they battle to keep their failing fishing business viable while becoming embroiled in heroin trafficking.

It features quite a diverse cast. From Holt McCallany’s tough, yet vulnerable character Harlan, to the emotional struggles of characters like Bree and Cane. The cast offers a range of characters and performances that elevate the drama.

More about the cast of The Waterfront

The Waterfront’s story revolves around the Buckleys. They are a family attempting to safeguard their fishing company. This is done while facing personal and moral issues and many of the series' cast members have extensive cinema and television experience.

The strong family patriarch, Harlan Buckley, is portrayed by Holt McCallany. McCallany's performance of FBI agent Bill Tench in Mindhunter is his most well-known role and one that brought him considerable praise.

He has had notable roles in movies such as The Iron Claw, Wrath of Man, and Fight Club and due to this background of working with nuanced, multi-layered characters, McCallany is a good fit for Harlan. As per the storyline, the character is committed to preserving his family's business despite personal losses.

Maria Bello portrays Belle Buckley, Harlan's wife, who is attempting to keep the family together as the firm confronts increasing strain. Bello's film and television credits include parts in ER, Coyote Ugly, Prisoners, and Lights Out.

She recently got tremendous accolades for her performance in Beef. In The Waterfront, Bello's portrayal of Belle emphasizes her character's tenacity and drive as she strives to preserve her family.

Cane Buckley, played by Jake Weary, is a son who is keen to succeed and continue his father's legacy. Weary's most well-known performance was in the television series Animal Kingdom as Deran Cody, a disturbed young man from a criminal family.

In addition to that, he has starred in movies like It Follows and It Chapter Two, as well as Chicago Fire. Weary provides an intense depiction of a man torn between his past and his future in The Waterfront. This is done by highlighting Cane's emotional struggle and need for acceptance.

Melissa Benoist plays the family's clever but troubled daughter, Bree Buckley. Benoist is likely best recognized for her portrayal as Supergirl in the long-running television series Supergirl. She has also appeared in Glee, Whiplash, and, more recently, The Girls on the Bus. In The Waterfront, Benoist's portrayal of Bree provides emotional depth to the character, who suffers with addiction and the ramifications for her family and relationships.

Shawn West, played by Rafael L. Silva, is a bartender who gets entangled in the Buckleys' world. In his earlier roles in Madam Secretary and 9-1-1: Lone Star, Silva frequently portrayed people in difficult, ethically dubious circumstances. Shawn's presence in The Waterfront adds interest since he conceals secrets that might destroy the family's meticulously constructed enterprise.

Cane's high school sweetheart Jenna Tate, played by Humberly González, comes back to Havenport to take care of her father. Although González has starred in Star Trek: Section 31 and Tarot, Netflix viewers are most familiar with her as Sophie in Ginny and Georgia. González gives depth to her character in The Waterfront, who is caught between her present life and her previous affections for Cane.

Stay tuned to Soap Central for regular updates on daily soaps, TV shows, and movies.

Edited by Sarah Nazamuddin Harniswala

Help Us Improve

Where have you seen the cast of The Waterfront before? Career of the stars explored

More about the cast of The Waterfront

Help Us Improve