While Netflix remains the largest streaming platform in the world, it can still be very selective about the content it continues to produce. Every fan has a series that they feel was canceled too soon, whether it be the supernatural horror of an Archive 8 or the endearing coming-of-age comedy I Am Not Okay With This. Sometimes, these cancellations can be explained by factors evident to viewers. However, the chart-topping series, The Waterfront, was cut after only one season, which seems to have come out of left field.
Digging a bit deeper into why the chart-topping Netflix show was canceled so quickly starts to paint a fuller picture of the streaming giant’s decision, even if it is not a welcome reality for fans who adored the series.
The Cancellation of ‘The Waterfront’ Marks a Lot of Lost Potential
The announcement of the cancellation of the crime drama series is only a few months away from the series’ debut on June 19, 2025. Before its release, the series had garnered hype, thanks to the involvement of Kevin Williamson, who had previously created shows such as Dawson’s Creek and The Vampire Diaries, which had developed endearing cult followings. The series was backed by a strong cast, including Holt McCallany, whose performances in Mindhunter and The Iron Claw have earned him a fan following, and Melissa Benoist, who is recently coming off of the beloved CW series Supergirl; to name a few.
Despite receiving a lukewarm critical reception upon release, the series managed to resonate with a large enough fan base to push it into Netflix’s charts. Thanks to a mix of gritty realism, authentic character-driven storytelling, and suspenseful plotting, the story of the powerful but conflicted Buckley family resonated with many. Across eight episodes, The Waterfront offered twists and turns, conveyed through a talented cast and sharp direction. The second season, which would have picked up with many of the season’s cliffhangers, however, was never meant to be, as Netflix announced that The Waterfront had been canceled on August 25, 2025.
Why Was ‘The Waterfront’ Canceled?
Fans of The Waterfront may not be as aware of the series’ quick decline in popularity. The series debuted with 11.6 million viewers in its first week, and it spent five weeks in Netflix’s global Top 10, with three of those weeks at No. 1. However, the numbers declined afterwards, having reportedly seen a sharp decline in viewers as interest and social discourse around Netflix’s original series shifted with the newest season of Squid Game coming out. While the reasoning seems to be some form of Netflix math, the series did not have the staying power the streaming giant is looking for to commit to follow-up seasons.
Other benchmarks that the series was unable to achieve included garnering buzz on social media, which has become a prevailing factor in Netflix’s decision to renew a series. Uncertainty about whether a second season will be as successful as the first, without that initial push, is becoming a challenge facing many new productions. Additionally, while critical reception is not always necessary if the film thrives on audience participation and online discourse, its 68% score on Rotten Tomatoes did not help its reasoning behind taking a chance and renewing the series.
Netflix continues to develop a very strategic approach to its content. Despite the initial burst of popularity and a dedicated viewership that would return for a second season, The Waterfront was unable to justify its budget for a second season, as it failed to garner lasting engagement among fans or critical acclaim.
Cast, Crew, and Fan Reaction to the Show’s Cancellation
In speaking with Deadline, creator Kevin Williamson graciously spoke positively about the experience, saying, “While I’m sad the Buckleys won’t be back for Season 2, I’m celebrating the joy that was Season 1,” he added, “Thank you to Netflix for taking a chance on a very personal story.” Kevin Williamson’s remarks on the show’s cancellation remain the only statement, with none of the cast having yet spoken up on the matter.
When it came to the fan reaction, many were angered and confused by the announcement of The Waterfront being canceled, with one user on X stating, “Not Netflix canceling another show I loved. Absolute BS considering how good the ratings were.” adding, “Justice for The Waterfront.” Another user on X, venting their frustration, said, “Netflix is insane for canceling the waterfront. No one can tell me otherwise. Bree’s storyline genuinely made me feel so seen and understood, and IDK what TF their problem is.”
Others took the news more in stride and were just thankful for how the series, with an Instagram fan page offering up a fond farewell:
Is There Any Chance of Saving ‘The Waterfront’?
The short answer here is no, as the likelihood of Netflix reversing its decision would involve a surge of popularity and media buzz that The Waterfront could not even muster as a fresh new series on the platform. Still, it is not necessarily impossible. A few examples exist, such as Sense8, for which the fandom was able to secure a two-hour finale episode to offer the closure that fans had been hounding them for. In rare cases, TV shows like Tuca & Bertie and One Day at a Time were canceled by Netflix but later picked up by different platforms. However, Tuca & Bertie was canceled by Adult Swim shortly after, and One Day at a Time’s platform decided to completely pull out of producing scripted content after one season; even when given a second chance, there are few success stories when it comes to streaming.
The best way to support The Waterfront is to stream it on Netflix and share your thoughts about it on social media. However, this may very well be an exercise in futility, given the minimal success of TV series that were canceled on Netflix and later had a comeback, whether on the platform or elsewhere. Sadly, the series is going to sign off with a bunch of cliffhangers that will likely never get resolved, never get to see how Belle leads the family, or what happened to Bree. The sad reality is that many shows find themselves canceled too soon when faced with the highly competitive and demanding television landscape.
The Waterfront is available to stream on Netflix.
The Waterfront
- Release Date
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June 19, 2025
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Jann Turner, Liz Friedlander, Marcos Siega
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
