Netflix’s newOzarkreplacement series,The Waterfront, has surged up the global streaming charts after premiering on Thursday, June 06, 2025. Created by Kevin Williamson ofScreamandDawson’s Creekacclaim,The Waterfronthas held the #1 spot on Netflix’s global TV streaming charts for the past week for English-language shows. In its opening week, it generated 8.3 million views to become themost-watched series on Netflixduring the last full week of June 2025. It surpassed another popular Netflix series,Ginny & Georgiaseason 3, which pulled in 8.1 million views over the same period.
Holt McCallany leads thecast ofThe Waterfrontalongside Jake Weary, Melissa Benoist, Maria Bello, Rafael L. Silva, and Humberly González. Topher Grace guest stars as the zany season 1 antagonist Grady.The Waterfrontearned a 70% critic score onRotten Tomatoesand is already generating buzz for a potential season 2, which Williamson already has plans for if and when Netflix gives him the green light. In the same vein asOzark,The Waterfrontfollows a seemingly perfect family in a scenic town who harbor dark secrets, including having a drug smuggling operation masquerading as a respectable business.
What The Waterfront’s Streaming Success Means For Its Renewal Chances
The Waterfront Hopes To Stay Afloat As Netflix’s Most-Viewed New Show In June
The Waterfrontlooks to close out June 2025 as the most-watched new original Netflix series heading into the start of summer. The real test of its current viewership dominance will be seeing how long the series can maintain its lofty status on the global streaming charts. With the impending release ofSquid Gameseason 3on June 27, there’s virtually zero chance thatThe Waterfrontwill finish June in the number one overall TV spot on Netflix. However,it could close out the month by still leading on the English-language chart, which would still be a major accomplishment heading into the 4th of July weekend.
HowThe Waterfrontperforms on Netflix’s streaming charts in its second week should be a major determining factor in its season 2 renewal chances. At a glance,The Waterfronthad a stronger first week of viewership than Netflix’s mid-April release,Ransom Canyon, which was just renewed for a second season. That said,Ransom Canyonimproved from its first-week viewership of 7.2 million to a second-week viewership of 9.4 million, holding a position in Netflix’s Top 10 TV Shows (English-language, United States) for four consecutive weeks.The Waterfrontwill likely have to follow a similar trajectory if it hopes to return for a second season.
Our Take On The Waterfront Becoming An Instant Netflix Streaming Hit
The Waterfront Received The Same RT Acclaim As Ozark Season 1
The Waterfrontmay not have the overall acclaim or viewership asOzark,butit is actually right on pace with the celebrated Jason Bateman-led crime series, which won 4 Emmys and lasted four seasons on Netflix.Ozarkseason 1 debuted with an identical Rotten Tomatoes score of 70% asThe Waterfrontseason 1, which is a strong indication of its renewal chances.
Ozarkseason 1 debuted with an identical Rotten Tomatoes score of 70% asThe Waterfrontseason 1, which is a strong indication of its renewal chances.
In myreview ofThe Waterfrontseason 1, I noted that the series in its current form felt like a watered-down version ofOzarkand was greatly enhanced by Topher Grace’s unhinged villain. Ultimately, as a Netflix series,The Waterfrontwill either live or die because of its viewership numbers, not so much its critical acclaim, which will be determined this summer.
