'Phenomenal' new Netflix drama has fans glued to screen as it draws Ozark comparisons

The Waterfront, a gripping new family crime drama from Dawson's Creek and Scream creator Kevin Williamson, released all eight episodes last month, and it's already climbed into Netflix's global Top 10 with an astonishing 11.6 million views.

The series, set along the windswept shores of North Carolina, focuses on the powerful but declining Buckley family and their once-mighty fishing empire. But beneath the surface lies a murky world of secrets, betrayal, and crime. Fans are already comparing the show to Netflix hit Ozark, which also depicted an ordinary family drawn into the criminal underworld.

Starring 90's screen icon Holt McCallany, Coyote Ugly star Maria Bello, and Supergirl favourite Melissa Benoist, The Waterfront explores the dark side of family loyalty and how far people will go to protect a legacy and viewers are hooked.

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

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

One viewer, @VivQi, summed it up perfectly: "Intense, chaotic, fast-paced and entertaining to watch!"

With all the buzz online, it's no surprise fans are already demanding more. "We need season 2 of The Waterfront, please @Netflix," begged one user.

Another added: "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."

The roots of The Waterfront go back to director Williamson's own childhood. He was born in a small town and grew up in a family deeply rooted in the ocean. His father, Wade, was a fisherman; his mother, Faye, worked at a hotel. "I come from a family of fishermen-not just my dad, but the entire family," he said. "Everyone I knew was a fisherman."

The Waterfront is all about betrayal and moral ambiguity, a theme Williamson has explored throughout his career. He broke out as the writer of such horror mainstays as Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer.

I was the small-town weirdo," Williamson added to TIME. "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. '"