Actor Holt McCallany Discusses Netflix Hit Series ‘The Waterfront’ & Pacquiao vs. Barrios

While The Waterfront is labeled “an American crime drama” on Wikipedia, it’s far more than that. It offers a reflection of where we are as a society—where survival often demands compromise, and desperation can blur the lines between right and wrong. Businesses and individuals alike are pushed to the brink, sometimes resorting to drastic, even illegal, measures just to survive. For the Buckley family, led by Harlan Buckley, that desperation isn’t new—it’s something that has been in the family for years. As much as they try to escape it, they soon realize that the illegal drug game is their destiny.

While Harlan tries to shield his family from the criminal undercurrent, he comes to accept that it’s the only way to keep them—and their legacy—afloat. At the same time, he’s navigating a multi-dimensional relationship with his wife, Belle (Maria Bello). This is where The Sopranos comparison comes in: like Tony Soprano, Harlan is trying to keep his family together and manage a marriage riddled with betrayal, all while clinging to a crumbling empire. In Harlan’s case, it is a fishing dynasty instead of waste management—but the emotional stakes, moral erosion, and quiet desperation feel hauntingly familiar. 

It’s a series that has already become a favorite among Netflix viewers, and there’s little reason to believe that it won’t move on to a second season.

Holt McCallany Is Harlan Buckley

When taking on a role like Harlan Buckley, drawing from personal experience can make a performance feel all the more authentic. This was certainly true for McCallany, who felt an instant connection with the character—despite not being the obvious choice in the eyes of the casting team.

“It’s funny because there is a lot of talk of this show by Kevin Williamson that this show was a semi-autobiographical story about his own father and that he was involved in trafficking, I think Cannabis, in the 1980s,” McCallany told FightsATW. “That was interesting to me when I initially read the script, as I saw my own father in the guy (Harlan Buckley). My father was Irish and a heavy drinker. He felt it was his birthright to drink. He was also a guy who wasn’t always faithful to my mother, which is another thing he has in common with Harlan. He was a man who was tremendously proud and old-school, just like Harlan.

“You’re always trying to find the things about yourself that correspond to the character that you want to create. Then you remove the things about yourself that don’t correspond with the character. And what you will be left with is the character. You should be able to read a script and say, ‘Yeah, I see myself in this part.’ Those things will be your doorway into the character. I read it and knew I was the right actor for the character.”

It is rare to get a glimpse into how “the sausage is made” when it comes to film or television. Occasionally, stories surface—like how Will Smith was originally considered for Neo in The Matrix before Keanu Reeves took on the iconic role. McCallany found himself in a similar situation, and, like Reeves, seized the opportunity and made it his own.

“I heard other names like Russell Crowe and Josh Brolin, who each once had an offer for the role of Harlan Buckley. These guys are tremendous actors and would have done a tremendous job, but it would have been different because they’re different. They can’t play my version any more than I can play theirs had they accepted it. 

“I heard those names, and I would call my agent and ask, ‘Where am I on the list?’ He told me, ‘We spoke to casting and you’re not even in the top ten.’ I said ‘Really?’ That surprised me because I felt the part was right in my wheelhouse. About a month later, I got a call from my agent, and he said, ‘You know what? They just offered you The Waterfront.’ I said ‘Yes, tell them I’ll accept it’.” 

“I’ve Learned To Never Bet Against Manny Pacquiao”

After speaking to McCallany about The Waterfront, we shifted our attention to his second passion: boxing. He previously starred in the FX drama Lights Out (available on Hulu), portraying a retired fighter chasing one last shot at a championship. Fittingly, the conversation shifted to 46-year-old Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2, 39 KOs)—who’s mounting a comeback of his own. After nearly four years away, he’s set to face WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KOs) on July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. 

Although Pacquiao will be the heavy underdog, McCallany has learned his lesson about doubting guys who are legends in the sport. “I always give Manny (Pacquiao) a shot,” said an animated McCallany. “During the Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe fight when they had ‘fan man’ parachute into the ring, which delayed the fight, I had bet against Holyfield that night and he won. There was another time when I bet against Tom Brady, and look what happened. 

“After that, I never bet against Evander Holyfield, Tom Brady, or Manny Pacquiao. There are some guys that I don’t bet against. Was George Foreman a little old when he beat Michael Moorer and became the oldest man to win the heavyweight championship of the world? A lot of people thought Foreman was too old and that he should have hung it up after the Holyfield fight. We were all wrong, as he did achieve it (winning the heavyweight title). We could be wrong about Manny Pacquiao, so I do give him a chance in this fight. I always give him a chance because he is Manny f*cking Pacquiao, one of the greatest fighters of all time. A guy like that, you cannot count out.”

Like Pacquiao, McCallany is a guy you cannot count out. If the popularity of The Waterfront is any indication, we will likely see more of the Buckley family for seasons to come.