Kevin Williamson, known for his work on popular TV shows such as “Dawson’s Creek” and “Scream,” has consistently drawn inspiration from his personal life and experiences. His latest Netflix series, “The Waterfront,” is no exception. The new crime series explores the complex dynamics of loyalty, betrayal, and legacy, centering on the Buckley family, who, while running a struggling fishery business, turn to drugs to make ends meet before the enterprise spirals out of control.
In an interview with TODAY, Williamson revealed that his family history influenced the show, saying, “I lived through it,” referring to his dad’s involvement in drug trafficking on his fishing boat in the 1980s.
According to Netflix’s Tudum, Kevin’s father faced charges of conspiracy to traffic over 200,000 pounds of marijuana. Williamson shared more about his experiences, stating, “I lived through him getting caught. I lived through the trial. I lived through him going to prison.”
Filming “The Waterfront” in North Carolina felt like coming home for Williamson. The show was filmed around Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, less than a three-hour journey from where he grew up.
Williamson attributes the inspiration for Buckley’s dynamics to his upbringing in a “crazy Southern family.” He describes his family as “absolutely fabulous” – fun, insane, shrewd, smart, lovely, and gorgeous. Williamson adds, “I’ve always wanted to tell the story of a Southern family living on the coast. People who love each other, but do crazy things.”
The Buckley family consists of patriarch Harlan and his wife, Belle, along with their two children: son Cane, trying to follow in his father’s footsteps as he leads the fishery, and daughter Bree, a recovering addict.
Harlan Buckley is a complex character who embodies both the good and the bad.
Williamson’s portrayal of Harlan is influenced by his own family’s patriarchal figures, who often walked the fine line between morality and corruption. Through Harlan’s character, Williamson explores the consequences of one’s actions and their impact on family dynamics.
