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Meet the Cast and Characters of ‘The Waterfront’

Got some major flashbacks to some iconic shows because of this cast.

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Dysfunctional families and legacy-related drama have been at the center of many of our binge-watch-worthy obsessions. Think: Succession, Yellowstone, House of the Dragon, Ransom Canyon, etc. This formula's been tried, tested, and true—and we can't seem to get enough of it. So Netflix is keeping it coming by serving viewers another suspenseful series involving money, power, big egos, and bloodshed.

The Waterfront is a show inspired by true events. It follows the fictional Buckley family, who have dominated the coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina for decades. They control everything from the local fisheries to the restaurants. But an imminent threat could ruin their family's future forever. In an attempt to save their family from losing everything they've built, the Buckleys get involved in some shady business, which ultimately ends up dragging the whole clan deeper into the mud. They find themselves in the thick of it, and it becomes difficult to make their way out.

Of course, the only way this story works is with its roster of talented actors. Here are the cast and characters of The Waterfront.

Holt McCallany as Harlan Buckley

the waterfront. holt mccallany as harlan buckley in episode 102 of the waterfront. cr. dana hawley/netflix 2025
Dana Hawley/Netflix

Harlan Buckley is currently the head of the clan. He's the one who helped his father build the Buckley fishery back in the '80s. But a lot has happened since then. Recently, he suffered two heart attacks, which means his wife and son have taken the reins on the family business. But when things seem to be going south, he sees no other choice than to take control once more.

Holt McCallany is an American actor known for his role as FBI Special Agent Bill Tench in Netflix's Mindhunter. He's also starred in films including Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, The Iron Claw, Fight Club, and more.

Instagram: @holtmccallany

Jake Weary as Cane Buckley

the waterfront. (l to r) jake weary as cane buckley, rafael silva as shawn west in episode 102 of the waterfront. cr. courtesy of netflix 2025
Photo: Courtesy of Netflix

Cane is his parents' only son and the expected heir to the Buckley family business. He's the filial golden child and is also a married man with a young daughter. But all of this gets tested as his family desperately tries to secure their future, and as he is forced to confront his own past.

Jake Weary is known for his starring role as Deran Cody in the series Animal Kingdom. He's also starred in soap opera As the World Turns, and movies such as Westhampton, It Follows and It: Chapter Two.

Instagram: @thechakeweary

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Maria Bello as Belle Buckley

the waterfront. maria bello as belle buckley in episode 101 of the waterfront. cr. dana hawley/netflix 2025
Dana Hawley/Netflix

Belle is a no-nonsense lady who isn't afraid to do whatever it takes to standup for herself and her family. She was left in charge of the Buckley fishery, alongside her son Cane, while her husband has been recovering. But they make a few too many questionable decisions to try and save their business. So now she's forced to take a step back and have her husband in the driver's seat once more.

Maria Bello got her big TV break playing Mrs. Smith in the 1996 Mr. & Mrs. Smith series. She's also known for her roles in other shows including NCIS and ER, as well as films like Coyote Ugly.

Instagram: @officialmariabello

Melissa Benoist as Bree Buckley

the waterfront. (l to r) jake weary as cane buckley, melissa benoist as bree buckley in episode 105 of the waterfront. cr. dana hawley/netflix 2025
Dana Hawley/Netflix

Bree is an intelligent woman whose life took some unfortunately bad turns. She used to oversee the family business's finances, but because of alcohol addiction she lost not just her place in the family, but also custody of her only son.

Gleeks will know Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose from the fifth season of Glee. But her biggest role to date has been the title character in CBS's Supergirl series.

Instagram: @melissabenoist

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Danielle Campbell as Peyton Buckley

the waterfront. (l to r) maria bello as belle buckley, danielle campbell as peyton, jake weary as cane buckley in episode 102 of the waterfront. cr. dana hawley/netflix 2025
Dana Hawley/Netflix

Peyton is your classic, classy Southern lady who loves the finer things in life. She loves her husband Cane and the life they've built together, and also appreciates the money and status that comes with being a Buckley. She might be a well-mannered mother to an 8-year-old girl, but best believe that she is fierce when it comes to fighting for the things she loves and protecting her peace.

If you're a fan of Disney Channel Original Movies, you may recognize Danielle Campbell from a couple of them. She's starred as the leading lady in Starstruck, and later as Simone Daniels in Prom. She's also played the role of Davina in The Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals.

Instagram: @thedaniellecampbell

Topher Grace as Grady

the waterfront. (l to r) topher grace as grady, josh crotty as nate, brady hepner as diller hopkins in episode 105 of the waterfront. cr. dana hawley/netflix 2025
Dana Hawley/Netflix

Grady is a shady drug lord who runs a major opioid operation in North Carolina, though he gives more of a tech bro vibe. The Buckleys find themselves entangled in his business as they desperately try to save their own.

Topher Grace is probably one of the most iconic members of this cast because of his run as Eric Forman on popular sitcom That '70s Show—a role that he reprises in spinoff That '90s Show. He's also starred in films such as Spider-Man 3, in which he plays Venom.

Instagram: @tophergrace

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Humberly González as Jenna Tate

humberly gonzalez as jenna tate netflix the waterfront
© 2025 Netflix, Inc.

Jenna is a journalist who leaves her life in the city and returns to her hometown Havenport to take care of her father. Her homecoming is a bittersweet one as she's forced to confront old relationships—including one with her high school sweetheart, Cane.

Humberly González is a Venezuelan Canadian actress who has starred in shows including Netflix shows Ginny and Georgia and Jupiter's Legacy. She also played a guest roles in shows like Orphan Black and Saving Hope.

Instagram: @humberly

Brady Hepner as Diller Hopkins

the waterfront. (l to r) topher grace as grady, josh crotty as nate, brady hepner as diller hopkins in episode 105 of the waterfront. cr. dana hawley/netflix 2025
Dana Hawley/Netflix

Diller is Bree's teenage son, who's grown up with his father and resents his mother for her alcoholism and what that's done to their relationship. Still, he idolizes his grandfather Harlan—which might not be a great thing given the recent illegal developments in his business dealings.

Brady Hepner is an American actor who is most known for his role in horror film, The Black Phone. He's also starred in Oscar-nominated film The Holdovers.

Instagram: @brady_hepner

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Rafael L. Silva as Shawn West

rafael l silva as shawn west the waterfront netflix 2025
courtesy photo/netflix 2025

Shawn is a newly-employed bartender working for the Buckleys. But he's not a mere lackey. He's also hiding a big secret—one that could destroy the Buckley family name.

Rafael L. Silva is an American Brazilian actor. He's starred in TV series including 9-1-1: Lone Star and Fluidity. He's also made appearances in Madam Secretary and The Corps.

Instagram: @actuallyrafa

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