According to Deadline, Neftlix’s The Waterfront was loosely inspired by Kevin Williamson’s family and late father; “a fisherman who got into a little trouble smuggling some drugs on his fishing boat.” After 25 years since the launch of Dawson’s Creek, Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries, Scream series) is bringing audiences to a different body of water in a more personal project. 

The Waterfront is set to premiere Thursday, via Deadline. 

Throughout the show, things go completely out of control when the Buckleys decide to turn to drug smuggling, in efforts to salvage their North Carolina fishing empire, which once prospered. The official logline of the show states: “But their fishing empire has started to crumble as patriarch Harlan Buckley recovers from two heart attacks and his wife Belle and son Cane 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,” according to TVLine.

Williamson told the New York Post that “It was really small time stuff,” in reference to his father’s crimes. “He was caught and arrested. He paid the price,” Deadline adds. 

Deadline notes that his father was witty, and Williamson reflects on what his late father would have thought of The Waterfront; “He always said, ‘Wait till I’m dead.’ But I do know my dad has a big sense of humor and I’m sure wherever he is, he’s happy knowing I did this show,” he stated.  

The series stars Mario Bello (Secret Window, The Woman King), Melissa Benoist (Supergirl, Glee), Jake Weary (Animal Kingdom, It Follows), and Holt McCallany (The Iron Claw, The Amateur), Deadline states. Other stars include Rafael L. Silva (Madam Secretary, 9-1-1: Lone Star), Danielle Campbell (The Originals, Tell Me a Story), Humberly González (In the Dark, Ginny & Georgia), and Brady Hepner (The Black Phone, FBI: International).