The Waterfront season 1 kicked off with an exceptional first season while leaving a handful of intriguing mysteries to be solved by season 2. The Netflix series follows the Buckley family as they head back into a life of crime to resolve their difficult finances, but things naturally don’t go smoothly. The patriarch, Harlan, had worked to escape the drug trade business, but his son and wife, Cane and Belle, dragged them all back into it. To make matters worse, they teamed up with a dangerously unpredictable supplier, forcing Harlan Buckley back into bed with old enemies.
By the end of The Waterfront season 1, the Buckleys managed to sort out several of their biggest problems. Harlan and Cane dealt with Grady after he kidnapped Bree and held Diller hostage, and Belle got the Parkers to find a solution for Wes’ land deal. As all this unfolded, several of the biggest mysteries presented in earlier episodes were solved, particularly those related to Bree and her grandfather, Beau Buckley. Still, The Waterfront effectively established several more big questions, perfectly guiding audiences toward a potential next season.
10
Will Belle Take Over The Buckley Empire In The Waterfront Season 2?
The Parkers Want Belle In Charge
The biggest question after the conclusion of The Waterfront season 1 is whether Belle will really take Harlan’s place as the head of the Buckley empire. This couple seemed to have resolved some differences after Bree was injured, but Belle immediately followed this up by meeting with the Parkers and seemingly accepting their deal.
The Parkers agreed to take care of Wes and the land deal, but only if Belle was in charge rather than Harlan. There is evidence throughout The Waterfront season 1 that Belle is better equipped for the job at this stage in the game. However, it’s shocking that, after being unable to betray Harlan with the land deal, Belle would betray him in this way. It’s currently unclear what Belle has planned, so The Waterfront season 2 could bring more surprises in this regard.
9
What Will Harlan Do About Belle’s Potential Betrayal?
Their Marriage Is Already Tricky
If Belle really does take charge of the Buckleys’ criminal activity, then Harlan is sure to have something to say about it. As of the end of The Waterfront season 1, Harlan has no idea what the Parkers demanded. Belle was supposed to break the news to him at the hospital, but she chose instead to share only an affectionate moment before taking off to meet the Parkers.
While there is clearly love here, such a betrayal may be too much for Harlan to handle.
Harlan and Belle have an atypical marriage, and things are sure to get even trickier going forward in The Waterfront. While there is clearly love here, such a betrayal may be too much for Harlan to handle. Belle may hope to let Harlan think that he is in charge, but that isn’t likely to last long in season 2.
8
Will Bree Regain Custody Of Diller?
Bree Is Attempting To Heal
Bree’s arc was among the more intriguing and sympathetic in The Waterfront season 1. We learn early on that she lost custody of her son, Diller, when she drunkenly set fire to her house while he was outside. Determined to turn over a new leaf, Bree fought for sobriety in season 1. However, it’s ultimately revealed that this character’s addiction stems from the trauma of seeing her grandfather, Beau, murdered by the Parkers.
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At the end of The Waterfront season 1, Bree confronted her inner child while she lay bleeding to death in the middle of the ocean. Through this action, she was able to forgive herself for not taking action while Beau Buckley lay dying. This could mean that Bree will be able to make strides with her own mental health, which could aid in regaining custody of Diller. Of course, it’s also still possible that Diller’s father will move him away in The Waterfront season 2.
7
What Exactly Did Beau Buckley Do To Betray The Parkers?
The Waterfront Season 1 Left Out The Details
Something that was never explicitly stated in The Waterfront season 1 is precisely what Beau Buckley did to bring on the Parkers’ wrath. It’s noted that he betrayed these suppliers somehow, and Harlan even said that his father had been completely wrong in whatever he did. Still, the details have yet to be revealed.
Jeb Parker pointedly asked Harlan if he was “double dipping” in The Waterfront season 1, implying that Beau’s crimes were of a similar nature. Although this installment didn’t provide answers, the fact that the Buckleys are now reunited with the Parkers means that this mystery is sure to be solved in The Waterfront season 2 as more information becomes available.
6
What Will The Fallout Be After Grady’s The Waterfront Season 1 Death?
Are Harlan & Cane Actually Free & Clear?
After Grady kidnapped Bree and left her for dead, Harlan and Cane had no choice but to take the man out. He was dangerous, and the Buckleys had become playthings to him. Cane wound up delivering the fatal shots, and Harlan’s inside man at the police station cleaned the whole thing up. Still, it seems unlikely that this will be the last we hear of Grady in The Waterfront.
Though Cane killing Grady was swept under the rug, there are sure to be further consequences in The Waterfront. Whether that comes from the law or some of Grady’s connections is unclear. Grady had a fairly massive operation, so his removal is sure to impact the finances of several other dangerous individuals.
5
Can The Parkers Be Trusted?
Can The Buckleys Do Business With These Men?
There’s no doubt in The Waterfront that the Parkers are dangerous. After Beau Buckley’s death, Harlan aimed to stay as far away from them as possible. However, when his choice was between Grady or the Parkers, Harlan went with the more predictable of these two evils. Still, this isn’t to say that the Buckleys are now in the free and clear.
The fact that Emmett Parker wants Belle in charge indicates that Harlan is still in significant danger with this family.
The fact that Emmett Parker wants Belle in charge indicates that Harlan is still in significant danger with this family. Moreover, the financially fragile Buckleys are so desperate that they will be painfully easy to take advantage of in The Waterfront season 2. It’s unlikely that these two families will work together in harmony. The big question isn’t whether things will fall apart, but how it will ultimately happen.
4
Are Things Really Over Between Cane & Jenna?
Jenna Decided To Step Away
Cane and Jenna had a lot of chemistry in The Waterfront season 1. It didn’t take long for these high school sweethearts to reconnect, and both their spouses picked up on this immediately. However, Peyton’s kindness toward Jenna when her father died inspired her to put an end to her relationship with Cane.
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Given Cane and Jenna’s history and chemistry, it’s difficult to imagine that this relationship is really over. Neither of their marriages is going particularly well, so as things shake out, the boundaries could become more blurred again. Whether that would be good for either of them is another question that The Waterfront season 2 can answer.
3
Is Peyton Really “Fine” After Cane’s Affair In The Waterfront Season 1?
Peyton & Cane Are A Lot Like Harlan & Belle
After Cane told Peyton that his relationship with Jenna was over, she repeated several times that they were “fine” as a couple. Naturally, this wasn’t very convincing. Peyton is intelligent and competent, and she could clearly tell that Cane’s apology was a direct result of Jenna choosing to cut contact. Additionally, rather than make efforts for amends, Cane put all the responsibility on his wife to tell him what he should do next.
This marriage is far from healthy, and things aren’t going to get magically better in The Waterfront season 2. It’s interesting that Cane and Peyton’s relationship began to resemble that of Harlan and Belle’s so quickly. Surely, as the latter couple begins to fall apart further in the coming episodes, so will the former.
2
Will Shawn Join The Buckley Family Business?
Shawn Will Have A Difficult Decision To Make In The Waterfront Season 2
Shawn got way more than he had bargained for when he decided to seek out his biological father. He had no idea that he was getting in with a family of drug traffickers, and he dealt with the consequences of that firsthand in The Waterfront season 1. It was dangerous and bloody—kill or get killed. Is this something Shawn will want to continue to be a part of?
Since Shawn is working to become a lawyer, he could be a rather valuable addition to the Buckley empire. However, he may have some hesitation about fully embracing his new criminal family. It was clear that Shawn was feeling unsure about everything at the end of The Waterfront season 1, so season 2 should see him make the hard decisions.
1
Why Do The Parkers Want To Keep Wes Alive?
How Else Will Wes Be Used?
In the final scene of The Waterfront season 1, Belle asked Emmett Parker if he was going to kill Wes. His answer was that they needed the businessman alive, but precisely why wasn’t made clear. As of the end of this installment, Wes has ownership of the Buckleys’ debt. He purchased it from the bank when Belle tried to pull out of the land deal, and threatened to foreclose on the Buckleys’ properties in 45 days.
Though Wes said that he would do whatever Belle wanted, it’s evident that the Parkers are the ones with the real power here. If they wanted, they could use Wes to put the Buckleys through a world of financial pain. Perhaps they truly want to keep Wes alive for Belle’s benefit. However, The Waterfront season 2 could reveal that there is a whole lot more to it.
The Waterfront
6/10
- Release Date
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June 19, 2025
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Marcos Siega
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Holt McCallany
Harlan Buckley
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