The Waterfront is a family crime drama series created by Kevin Williamson. The Netflix series is set in North Carolina, and it follows the Buckley family, who own and operate the state’s most storied fishing empire, but when the family business faces trouble, they decide to turn to a life of crime and begin smuggling drugs. The Waterfront stars Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist, Jake Weary, Rafael L. Silva, Humberly González, Danielle Campbell, and Brady Hepner. So, if you loved the intense family drama, thrilling crime story, and compelling characters in The Waterfront, here are some similar shows you should check out next.
Ozark (Netflix)
The chaos and the constant danger from both the drug dealers and cops is extremely thrilling to watch in The Waterfront, and that’s why this series had an instant place in this list as this is one of the most brilliantly written shows that tells us a story about a normal family being dragged into the life of crime. We are talking about the Netflix series Ozark, which follows Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who must move with his family to the Ozarks to find a way to launder money for a ruthless cartel. Co-created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams, the crime drama series stars Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner, Julia Garner, and Jordana Spiro.
Queen of the South (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
If you loved the thrills and danger the Buckley family goes through as they dip their toes into the world of crime, then Queen of the South is a perfect watch for you. Based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, the USA Network series is co-developed by M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller. The action crime thriller drama series follows Teresa Mendoza, a poor woman from Sinaloa, Mexico, who falls in love with a drug dealer, but when he is killed, she must flee to the United States and become a powerful drug lord to get her vengeance. Queen of the South stars Alice Braga, Peter Gadiot, Hemky Madera, Molly Burnett, Veronica Falcon, Joaquim de Almeida, and Justina Machado.
Bloodline (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
Bloodline is a psychological thriller drama series that revolves around a dysfunctional family, just like The Waterfront. Co-created by Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler, and Daniel Zelman, the Netflix series is set in Islamorada, Florida, and it revolves around the Rayburn family as a family member returns from prison, which causes old family trauma to resurface and some dangerous secrets to get out. Bloodline stars Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, Linda Cardellini, Norbert Leo Butz, Jacinda Barrett, Jamie McShane, Enrique Murciano, and Sam Shepard.
ZeroZeroZero (Prime Video)
ZeroZeroZero is an Italian crime drama series co-created by Stefano Sollima, Leonardo Fasoli, and Mauricio Katz. The Prime Video series is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Roberto Saviano, and while it doesn’t have many similarities to The Waterfront, it does focus heavily on the smuggling business like the Netflix series. ZeroZeroZero revolves around a Mafia organisation as its leader’s position is challenged by his grandson, resulting in a large shipment of drugs being rerouted. ZeroZeroZero stars Andrea Riseborough, Dane DeHaan, Giuseppe De Domenico, Adriano Chiaramida, Harold Torres, and Noé Hernández.
Breaking Bad (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
This is a pretty obvious one, as this series’ title tells you why it’s similar to The Waterfront. Yes, just as the Buckleys chose the life of crime after seeing hardships in their life, in this AMC series, so will Walter White. Created by Vince Gilligan, Neo-Western crime thriller drama series follows Walter White, a mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with cancer and decides to cook and sell meth to pay for the treatment and to leave something behind for his family. Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte, Giancarlo Esposito, and Bob Odenkirk.
Animal Kingdom (Netflix & Prime Video)
Animal Kingdom is a family crime drama series created by Jonathan Lisco. Based on the 2010 film of the same name by author David Michôd, the TNT series follows Joshua, a teen boy who decides to live with his grandmother, who runs a criminal operation in Oceanside, California, after the death of his mother. Joshua’s life soon takes a wild turn as he gets more and more involved in his grandmother’s criminal business. Animal Kingdom stars Ellen Barkin, Scott Speedman, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake Weary, Finn Cole, Daniella Alonso, Molly Gordon, and Carolina Guerra. If you loved the blend of family drama and crime in The Waterfront, then Animal Kingdom is a perfect watch for you.
Yellowstone (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video)
If you loved the extremely entertaining Buckley family drama in The Waterfront, then don’t miss out on a show like Yellowstone. Co-created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, the Paramount Network series revolves around the Dutton family, who own and operate the vast Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, which becomes the target for rival ranchers and businessmen. Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, and Danny Huston.