The Waterfront: What Happened to Harlan’s Father?

Nivedita Dubey
June 21, 2025

Key Points:

The Waterfront season 1 reveals that Beau Buckley was killed by the Parkers for betraying their heroin operation.
Bree witnessed her grandfather’s murder as a child, a trauma that deeply impacted her throughout her life.
Despite their violent past, the Buckleys resumed business with the Parkers to eliminate a more dangerous rival.

The Waterfront explores the complicated legacy of the Buckley family and the secrets that shaped their empire. One of the central mysteries of season 1 involves the death of Harlan’s father, Beau Buckley. As the truth unfolds, it becomes clear that the family’s rise in the fishing industry was tied to a far darker trade—heroin trafficking.

**Who Killed Harlan’s Father in The Waterfront?**

One of the earliest questions in The Waterfront revolves around the fate of Beau Buckley, the founding patriarch of the Buckley empire. While viewers are initially led to believe Beau passed away from natural causes, season 1 reveals that he was murdered by the Parkers, a powerful drug cartel family.

Beau had partnered with the Parker family to build a covert heroin distribution network using the Buckleys’ fishing boats. Over time, however, tensions arose. Though the series does not spell out the exact betrayal, it is heavily implied that Beau was “double dipping”—possibly dealing with other suppliers or stealing profits. In retaliation, Jeb Parker, the Parker patriarch, ordered Beau’s assassination.

The Waterfront shows that this event caused Harlan to sever ties with the Parkers and abandon the heroin business. However, years later, financial pressures led Cane and Belle to secretly revive the operation without Harlan’s knowledge, reigniting ties with the underworld.

How Was Bree Connected to Her Grandfather’s Death?

A major emotional thread in The Waterfront season 1 is Bree’s childhood trauma. It is revealed that she was present during Beau Buckley’s murder. When the assassin Emmett entered the house to carry out the hit, Bree was hidden in the closet. She watched her grandfather get shot and die, silently witnessing the entire event.

This incident became a formative trauma in Bree’s life. She never spoke of it for years, believing that she had failed to save Beau. As she grew older, the guilt consumed her and led to alcohol addiction. Her mother Belle refused to allow her to speak of it, a decision Bree interpreted as a way to protect the family’s reputation. However, Belle later explained that silence was necessary—if the Parkers had discovered Bree was a witness, she too would have been killed.

The show uses this memory to explore Bree’s inner struggle. In one scene, after being injured, she imagines comforting her younger self—a symbolic step toward healing her trauma.

Why Did the Buckleys Resume Business With the Parkers?

Harlan Buckley in The Waterfront_Netflix

Despite the violent history between their families, the Buckleys chose to reconnect with the Parkers in season 1. The decision was driven by necessity. Cane’s initial efforts to traffic heroin relied on a new supplier named Grady, who proved to be highly unstable and volatile.

Faced with an unpredictable partner, Harlan agreed to bring the Parkers back into the fold, reasoning that they were the lesser of two evils. The Parkers accepted the new arrangement, but their trust in Harlan was fractured. Instead, they viewed Belle as a more reliable leader and began maneuvering to replace Harlan with her.

This shift sets up a significant power dynamic heading into season 2. With Harlan potentially being sidelined by both the Parkers and his own family, the future of the Buckley operation remains uncertain.