Kevin Williamson has been the creative force behind everything from the horror franchise Scream to beloved teen dramas like Dawson’s Creek and The Vampire Diaries. He has now launched a new hit series on Netflix, The Waterfront, a crime drama set in North Carolina. This fictional series is inspired by Williamson’s childhood in the state and his family’s experiences as fishermen during the 1980s.
The show features an impressive cast, including Mindhunter‘s Holt McCallany and Supergirl‘s Melissa Benoist. Debuting at No. 1 on the Netflix Global charts, The Waterfront quickly became a popular TV obsession. However, Netflix canceled the series after just one season in August 2025, leaving fans wanting more.
10
‘Ray Donovan’ (2013–2020)
If you enjoyed the family dynamics and crime elements of The Waterfront, then Ray Donovan is an excellent choice. The series follows Ray Donovan, played by Liev Schreiber, a professional fixer who handles illegal tasks for wealthy clients while grappling with his own family issues and his father’s (Jon Voight) negative influence. Moral ambiguity and the theme of doing what “needs to be done” resonate in both shows.
The Showtime series ran for seven seasons, with an anticipated final season. Although Showtime canceled it, fan outrage led to the creation of a movie to conclude the story, released in 2022. Over its seven-season run, Ray Donovan received 10 Emmy nominations and won one for Hank Azaria in the Outstanding Guest Actor In A Drama Series category.
9
‘The Following’ (2013–2015)
Apart from the Scream franchise and Dawson’s Creek, this isn’t Kevin Williamson’s first venture into crime series. In the early 2010s, he created <em>The Following</em> for Fox. Inspired by his favorite show, 24, Williamson aimed to have The Following on the same network. The series stars Kevin Bacon as retired FBI agent Ryan Hardy, who is on a mission to recapture serial killer Joe Carroll and his cult. Early in the series, Hardy’s son is abducted by this cult. Unfortunately, The Following was canceled after three seasons and 45 episodes.
This intense and dark series showcases Williamson’s talent for crafting complex narratives. However, while The Following leans more towards a psychological thriller TV series, The Waterfront fits more within the crime thriller genre. Regardless, both are gripping watches for fans of these styles.
8
‘The Sopranos’ (1997–2007)
The Sopranos presents a different narrative compared to The Waterfront. While the Netflix drama depicts a family turning to crime to save their business from collapsing, The Sopranos follows a mafia boss entrenched in criminal activities. Despite their differing plots, both series portray complex family dynamics.
Both shows also delve into power dynamics that can strain relationships and lead to their deterioration. They explore loyalty and how expectations can be shattered when outside forces intervene. These escalating tensions can fracture families, illustrating that life in crime is challenging for all characters involved.
7
‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)
Breaking Bad shares a similar premise with The Waterfront. Both series depict individuals or families turning to crime as a means of coping with life’s challenges. In Breaking Bad, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is a chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer. Unable to afford medical treatment in the United States, White resorts to selling methamphetamine to fund his healthcare.
While critical reception varies significantly between the two shows—Breaking Bad frequently appears on “best TV shows of all time” lists and won 16 Emmys—The Waterfront‘s reception was average and it was not renewed for a second season.
6
‘Succession’ (2018–2023)
