“A crumbling family empire”: The Waterfront is Netflix’s Succession-esque drama to know about

Fans of Succession rejoice, Netflix is releasing its own answer to the show with a brand-new “crumbling family empire” drama, The Waterfront. The series follows the Buckley family who preside over a fishing empire and is set in the South of the USA. According to Netflix, the show is also inspired by a true story.

The eight-episode series promises plenty of scandal and secrets as, just like Succession, the Buckley family members vie for control of the lucrative family empire, trying to keep things afloat following a health scare for the father and patriarch of the family, Harlan Buckley. Screenwriter and director Kevin Williamson (who's worked on big-name titles including Dawson's Creek, The Vampire Diaries and Scream), is the man behind the project, which has flavours of the family crime drama Ozark, set in the lakes of Missouri, USA.

Here's everything we know about the gritty new series, including who's been cast in the show...

What is The Waterfront about?

In The Waterfront we meet the Buckley family of Havenport, a waterside town in the southern state of North Carolina in the United States. The Buckleys rule over a wealthy fishing empire, the success of which has extended their power beyond the local fishing industry and into other lucrative local businesses, including the town's restaurant scene.

Harlan Buckley is the patriarch of the successful family but, recovering from two heart attacks, it's left to his family to keep the Buckley legacy - and their hold over the area - in tact, as cracks begin to appear. Initially, Harlan's wife, Belle, and son, Cane, are tasked with holding down the fort, but things begin to spin desperately out of control.

Harlan's daughter Bree, on the other hand, has problems much closer to home, being a recovering addict and losing custody of her son. Then, she enters into a complicated relationship which could have huge ripples not only for her personal life, but risks destabilising the future of her family's carefully built empire.

Is The Waterfront based on a true story?

Netflix has said The Waterfront is inspired by a true story, although the exact events which formed the basis of the show are yet to be revealed - perhaps in order to keep some of the plot details under wraps until the series airs.

Where is The Waterfront filmed?

The series was filmed on location in South Carolina in the towns of Wilmington and Southport between September and December last year. The locations double as the fictional town of Havenport, which is ruled by the Buckley family in the show. Wilmington was also the filming location for Dawson's Creek, also from Kevin Williamson.

Who's in the cast of The Waterfront?

The cast of The Waterfront includes:

• Maria Bello (NCIS, A History of Violence) as Mae Buckley
• Melissa Benoist (Supergirl, Glee) as Bree Buckley
• Danielle Campbell (The Originals, Tell Me a Story) as Peyton Buckley
• Humberly González (Ginny & Georgia, Utopia Falls) as Jenna Tate
• Brady Hepner (The Black Phone, Chicago Fire) as Diller Hopkins
• Holt McCallany (Mindhunter, Fight Club) as Harlan Buckley
• Rafael L. Silva (9-1-1: Lone Star, The Corps) as Shawn Wilson
• Jake Weary (Animal Kingdom, It Follows) as Cane Buckley
• Andrew Call (Z: The Beginning of Everything, American Rust) as Deputy Sawyer
• Gerardo Celasco (Passions, National Treasure: Edge of History) as DEA Agent Marcus Sanchez
• Michael Gaston (The Man in the High Castle, The Leftovers) as Sheriff Clyde Porter
• Topher Grace (That ’70s Show, Home Economics) as Grady
• Zach Roerig (The Vampire Diaries, Dare Me) as Troy
• Dave Annable (Special Ops: Lioness)

How can I watch The Waterfront?

The Waterfront will be available to stream on Netflix, although the exact release date is yet to be revealed. However, as the first stills of the series have already been shared, we're expecting to find out very soon. More news as we have it!