‘The Waterfront’ star shares behind-the-scenes secrets of NC drama on Netflix
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Netflix drama 'The Waterfront' explores a coastal NC fishing family's downfall.
- Actor Brady Hepner draws from his NC roots and cast dynamics to shape his role.
- Creator Kevin Williamson used real-life people and places to inspire the series.
Just in time for summer, a new North Carolina-inspired drama filmed along the coast has landed on Netflix.
Based on the tales of his own fisherman father, creator Kevin Williamson’s “The Waterfront” is set in the fictional town of Havenport about the Buckley family working to save their fishing empire that’s drowning in debt.
Ahead of its premiere, The News & Observer sat down with one of the stars of the show — who happens to be from North Carolina.
From the cast’s favorite local spots to story line theories for a second season, here’s what the Winston-Salem native, 19-year-old Brady Hepner (who plays Diller Hopkins) shared about filming “The Waterfront.”
Note: This interview mentions storylines from the Netflix series, but no explicit spoilers. Still, steer clear if you want to stay totally in the dark.
This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.
The N&O: What was it like to prepare for your role as someone who is from North Carolina?
Hepner: “I’d like to say it was kind of easy because I got to bring 90% of myself into the role. All of my friends are exactly like this character without the family dynamic. So finding out who this character is coming from the South, coming from a coastal town in North Carolina — that whole background was a piece of cake.
“But finding the character himself, I tried to draw as much as I could from each other character, because I believe that everyone around us makes who we are as a person. So I would grab character traits from all the other characters of the show, and that’s where I really started to build, you know, who Diller actually was.”
The N&O: So what should fans look out for in Diller’s character?
Hepner: “First off, Diller is a very sarcastic character, especially in the beginning of the show. I think that he gets a lot of that from his uncle and his mother, because they both tend to have that quick temper, sarcastic personality and so I think Dillard gets that from them. I think Diller also has this very heroic side of him that you see towards the end of his in season one, where he pulls that from his grandfather, who Diller really does idolize and really looks up to. He tries to follow in the footsteps of Harland.
“So I think when Diller has to rise to the occasion to become the hero of the scene, I think that’s kind of what’s running through his head — what would my grandfather do? He also has this soft side with his mother, and I think that’s just a reflection of how in vulnerable moments, how people are treating him is kind of how he reciprocates.”
The N&O: The show is based on a true story. What are you able to share about the inspiration for the storyline?
Hepner: “I don’t want to speak too much because I haven’t heard too much. I know some of the characters from the show were based around people in Kevin Williams’s life. I know some of the places from the show were based off of places in Kevin Williamson’s life. I remember, in particular when we were doing the table read, how he took a group on this tour and would basically be like, “Hey, see that shed? That is exactly where this part of the scene comes from.” So there are these cool little moments that he would share about, but in terms of specifics, I really don’t know that much.”
The N&O: What was it like relocating for filming? Did you have any favorite spots around the area?
Hepner: “It was awesome going from the occasional one week family vacation to Wilmington to kind of getting into the local feel … This has been my second time filming in Wilmington, so I get to share and remember a lot of the experiences out here that I’ve learned. I’d say one of our favorite places we went to as a cast all the time — they hosted us for dinner one time, which is fantastic, and I have nothing but great things to say — is Seabird, a fantastic seafood restaurant. I’m a big fan. Another one of my favorites that I learned about was True Blue. I’m going there after these interviews because I have been wanting to go ever since we wrapped on the show.
“In terms of places, I’d say Carolina Beach is one of my favorites. Wrightsville Beach is always good. That was the thing I enjoyed about filming. After a long 12 hour day, you can just go sit on the beach and chill out, and that was really special to a lot of people.”
The N&O: Do you have a favorite character on the show?
Hepner: “I think Brady, played by Topher Grace, is probably my favorite character. Topher’s the same way in real life in that he’s so quick witted. Half of the time, we would have to reshoot because people on set were just laughing. He’s just a naturally funny guy to be around and he’s such a joy. But seeing the one liners that he would throw in that weren’t in the script — everyone loved it. It was really fun to kind of see somebody at that caliber of acting to create a character almost on the day.”
The N&O: As someone from North Carolina, how accurately would you say the show portrays the area and the state’s fishing industry?
Hepner: “I’d say it was fairly accurate. We went and filmed at real docks in Southport. We were around real fishermen. I know that everyone on set, they really wanted to make sure that it was done right so people could connect to it … making sure accents were correct, making sure that certain words in Carolina — like, is it ‘BOH-fert’ or ‘BEW-fert.’
“So a lot of those things were a big concern, but it was so cool that everyone coming into North Carolina wanted to make sure that those were accurate. So I think it does the North Carolina coastal life a lot of justice.
“On set, sometimes … I would either say something or somebody would ask for clarification, so it was cool to be this little resource when it came to that sort of thing.”
The N&O: What would you say is going to surprise fans most about the series?
Hepner: “There are so many plot twists, so expect the unexpected. If you know Kevin Williamson’s work, you will not be able to figure it out. So I would say, don’t try to be Sherlock Holmes and figure out the entire season in the first couple of episodes. Sit there, be with the characters, find out who you don’t like, who you do like, who you think you can trust and let that story play out.
“I think, honestly, you will have such a fun time watching this TV series, because it is so much more than just a show. I think it’s like a mind game the entire time, and I think that’s what Kevin really does well with his work.”
The N&O: If there’s going to be a season two, what would you like to see happen?
Hepner: “On my behalf, I would like to see what happens with Diller, because he goes through so many traumatic and emotional experiences towards the end of the season. It’s a lot for a 16-year-old to handle. It’s a lot for anybody to handle. So I really want to see where the family goes from having these internal demons, with not only themselves, but with each other and then they kind of heal as one at the end of the season.
“So now I want to know with the Buckleys all together, what is their first move in season two?”
The N&O: Do you have any theories on what would happen to them in another season?
Hepner: “I think the first thing they have to do is explain to Diller what’s happening because he has no clue. He’s just seen that his hero — his grandfather — is kind of not a great person. So what does he do? Does he move away with his dad? Because he talks about that in the show. Does he stay with his mom who’s been there with him through this entire chaotic time lapse? So I’d be interested to see what’s really going through Diller’s head and what the family does for him.
“I’m also excited to see if the Buckley family stays with the illegal business that they’ve created. Or have they generated enough money now to get back on their feet and kind of act like nothing happened?”
How to watch ‘The Waterfront’
The full season of “The Waterfront” premieres Thursday, June 19 only on Netflix.
This story was originally published June 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
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