Where was The Waterfront filmed? Filming locations of the Netflix series, explored

The Waterfront is the new Netflix series set in the fictional town of Havenport, North California. The series premiered on June 19, 2025, with all eight episodes releasing together, and is created by Kevin Williamson, known for Scream and Dawson’s Creek.

The storyline follows the Buckley family, who built a successful fishing empire that is now facing collapse. As the business unravels, the family is forced to confront hard decisions and deep personal struggles, bringing some dangerous secrets to the surface.

The show not only brings raw performances and narrative depth to the screen, but also showcases picturesque locations that complement its visual world. Wilmington in Northern California serves as the home of the Buckley family. Read on to know more about the filming locations of The Waterfront.

Here are the filming locations of The Waterfront

This location is described as creator Kevin Williamson's long-time favourite, per reports, as he also used it in other shows like Dawson's Creek and I Know What You Did Last Summer. This is Wilmington, as mentioned, serving as the Buckleys' home. In addition, it is the location of their fishing business, and various parts of the fictional town of Havenport were filmed here.

Southport, North California, is another location that helped shape the visual world. It is a small coastal town near Wilmington, and its picturesque docks, waterfront views, and local charm make it ideal for The Waterfront. Scenes involving the Buckleys' fishing empire were shot here. This setting helped the show capture the feel of a tight-knit, working-class seaside community, adding an important layer of realism.

According to reports, the Cape Fear Club—the oldest private country club in North Carolina—was also used in some scenes to add historical and visual elegance. Moreover, Wrightsville Beach, located just east of Wilmington in New Hanover County, is another key filming spot for the Netflix show. The scene where a character rides a bike across the South Bank Channel Bridge into downtown Southport was shot here, further enhancing the show’s seaside setting.

When did the filming of The Waterfront take place?

The filming of the show took place in 2023, mostly across the above-mentioned locations. The real coastal scenery helped bring authenticity and atmosphere to the fictional setting of Havenport. Though Havenport is fictional, the rest of the locations are real coastal towns in Northern California. This helped the show realistically portray the fishing empire and the authentic world of a small seaside community.

Holt McCallany appears as Harlan Buckley, the ageing family patriarch. Alongside him is Maria Bello as Belle Buckley, his wife. Topher Grace also appears as a guest star, along with Melissa Benoist, Jake Weary, Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, and Brady Hepner as members of the younger generation of the family.

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