wwwmelissabenoistofficial.com: May 2025

Here’s Where You Recognize ‘The Waterfront’ Cast From

If you’re anything like us, you live for complex family dynamics, long-buried secrets, and slow-burn Southern drama that feels like sipping sweet tea with a shot of betrayal. That’s exactly what Netflix’s new series The Waterfront is serving—dripping in tension, oozing with secrets, and backed by a cast you’ve definitely seen (and loved) before.

Created by Kevin Williamson (yes, the mastermind behind The Vampire Diaries and Scream), the show centers around the Buckleys, a wealthy fishing dynasty in coastal North Carolina. When Harlan Buckley, the powerful patriarch, suffers a second heart attack, his absence cracks open old rivalries and buried truths. His wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) venture into the deep end to keep the family businesses afloat.

As their attempts spiral out of control and into treacherous waters, Harlan steps back in to take command. Facing her own demons, Buckley daughter Bree (Melissa Benoist) — an addict in recovery who’s lost custody of her son Diller (Brady Hepner) — finds herself entangled in a complicated relationship that could threaten the family’s future forever.

But let’s be honest: the cast is half the reason we’ll be binging this show in one sitting. Let’s break down who’s who in Havenport, and where you’ve seen them before.

1. Holt McCallany as Harlan Buckley

The man at the center of it all. Harlan is old-school Southern power personified: stoic, respected, and quietly terrifying. A man who built a fishing empire from nothing and isn’t ready to let go of it—even when his body begins to fail him. He’s deeply proud, even more deeply flawed, and his absence sets off a chain reaction that could destroy everything he built.

Where You’ve Seen Him: Holt has made a career out of playing intense, layered characters. Most notably, he brought empathy and steel to FBI agent Bill Tench in Netflix’s Mindhunter. You might also recognize him from Fight Club, The Lincoln Lawyer, or Blue Bloods. The man knows how to play stoic patriarch with a storm brewing under the surface.

2. Maria Bello as Belle Buckley

Belle is the kind of woman who keeps everyone else from falling apart—until she starts to crack, too. As the Buckley matriarch, she’s elegant, shrewd, and fiercely protective of her family. But after years of holding it all together for her ailing husband and ambitious children, she’s starting to question if it’s even worth saving anymore. Belle’s not just the wife—she’s the engine.

Where You’ve Seen Her: Maria Bello has a résumé full of powerhouse roles. From her intense turns in A History of Violence and The Coyote Bar to her recent fan-favorite stint in NCIS, she always brings emotional depth and quiet fire. Belle might be her most layered role yet.

3. Jake Weary as Cane Buckley

Cane is the prodigal son who never really left. He’s the heir apparent to the Buckley empire, but years of emotional bruising from his father have left him damaged and desperate. He’s trying to prove he can run the business, protect his family, and escape his past—but his short temper and tendency to self-destruct keep getting in the way. You’ll root for him. You’ll hate him. Sometimes in the same scene.

Where You’ve Seen Him: Jake Weary made a name for himself as Deran Cody on TNT’s Animal Kingdom, where he played another complicated son living in his family’s shadow. He was also haunting in It Follows. If brooding, emotionally wounded Southern men are your thing, welcome to your next fixation.

4. Melissa Benoist as Bree Buckley

Bree is the black sheep who’s not afraid to bite back. Once a brilliant financial advisor, now a recovering addict, she returns to Havenport trying to reclaim custody of her son and maybe even her dignity. Bree is raw, unapologetic, and constantly battling her own demons—and Melissa Benoist absolutely nails the messy beauty of that.

Where You’ve Seen Her: You know her as Supergirl, the hopeful and strong superhero who always sees the good in others. Also you know her for Glee. But in The Waterfront, Benoist gets to go darker, tapping into the grit she first showed in Whiplash and later in Waco. This is her chance to show just how much range she really has.

5. Danielle Campbell as Peyton Buckley

Peyton is the charming Southern belle who plays nice—but knows exactly how to get what she wants. As Cane’s wife, she’s learned how to survive in the lion’s den that is the Buckley household, and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty. On the surface she’s sweet tea and pearls, but make no mistake: there’s steel under that smile.

Where You’ve Seen Her: Danielle was the standout teen witch Davina on The Originals, and she went full psychological thriller mode in Tell Me a Story. She’s proven she can hold her own in supernatural chaos—now she’s proving she can dominate Southern family drama, too.

6. Brady Hepner as Diller Hopkins

Diller is Bree’s teenage son—angry, confused, and deeply in need of stability. After years away from his mom, he’s now under his father’s care and forming a surprisingly close bond with Harlan. But that relationship might not be as innocent as it seems. Diller is a powder keg waiting to explode—and you won’t be able to look away.

Where You’ve Seen Him: He terrified audiences in The Black Phone and held his own alongside firefighters in Chicago Fire. This role is his chance to show the full scope of what he can do, and trust us—he delivers.

7. Rafael L. Silva as Shawn Wilson

Shawn is the new bartender at the family yacht club—and like most people in Havenport, he’s hiding more than he’s revealing. He’s charming and attentive, but he’s watching everything, and his past may be more entangled with the Buckleys than anyone expects.

Where You’ve Seen Him: Fans of 9-1-1: Lone Star already love Rafael as Carlos, the thoughtful and strong police officer. Now he gets to dial up the mystery and sex appeal, and we’re here for all of it.

8. Humberly González as Jenna Tate

Jenna returns to Havenport to care for her ailing father and ends up investigating a story that could blow the town wide open. A journalist with a sharp mind and even sharper instincts, she also has a complicated romantic history with Cane. Cue the tension.

Where You’ve Seen Her: Humberly has had standout roles in Ginny & Georgia, Utopia Falls, and In the Dark. She’s got that grounded-yet-glamorous vibe that makes you instantly want to know more about her.

9. Topher Grace as Grady

Grady is the smiling face of danger. A rich kid turned drug dealer who wants to partner with the Buckleys. He’s unpredictable, magnetic, and possibly the most dangerous person in Havenport.

Where You’ve Seen Him: Everyone knows Topher as Eric from That ‘70s Show, but don’t sleep on his recent turn in Home Economics or his chilling role in BlacKkKlansman. Seeing him go full villain here? Delicious.

The Waterfront is the kind of show that hooks you from the first scene and doesn’t let go. It’s about family—both the love and the dysfunction. It’s about secrets, those you bury and those that bury you. And it’s about power, who has it, who wants it, and what they’ll do to keep it.

With a cast this talented and a world this richly drawn, The Waterfront isn’t just a must-watch, it’s a must-devour. Bring a bourbon. And maybe a therapist.

The Waterfront will premiere June 19 on Netflix.