Netflix’s The Waterfront is the newest show in Kevin Williamson‘s TV universe, but which stars from his past works — including Dawson’s Creek — could make a cameo?
During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, The Waterfront star Danielle Campbell teased who she would personally love to see on season 2, saying, “If Katie Holmes could come onto the show, I would probably just smile and never stop.”
A cameo from Holmes, 46, isn’t out of the realm of possibility considering the actress’ history with Williamson. The duo collaborated on Dawson’s Creek from 1998 to 2003, and since then, Williamson has made a pattern of working with the same actors on different projects. Case in point, Campbell, 30, who previously worked with Williamson on The Originals and Tell Me a Story.
“Honestly, every time I get to talk about Kevin and any of his projects, I’m thrilled, because I admire him in so many ways,” Campbell told Us. “He’s just a master artist. He crosses so many genres and that’s something that I really admire about his work.”
A Guide to Every Show in Kevin Williamson’s TV Universe: From ‘Dawson’s Creek’ to ‘The Waterfront’
Campbell recalled being familiar with Williamson before they crossed paths professionally.
“I’ve known of him pretty much my whole life. He was such a part of my childhood and I didn’t even recognize who he was at that point. To have worked with him on different projects has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” she shared. “Because he put so much trust in me to play so many different characters that it really challenged me as an actor. That is all I think the majority of actors want for their careers. To challenge themselves and the stories that they’re telling.”
She continued: “I love every process that I’ve gotten to experience with him because he’s a really special person to me personally. But it is also so amazing to get to be on a set with him because he creates such a unique environment. No matter where we’re filming, all of the locations I’ve been filming with him have now been my home.”
Campbell credited Williamson for bringing the casts of his shows together.
“He makes the set feel like a family. Everyone is away from their loved ones and they get to create their own community on set. It’s a really special experience. The Waterfront was its own particular magic,” she explained. “Because the show was taking place where he grew up and was talking about his personal story. That’s such a rare occurrence that gets to happen in film and TV when something is based on actual events. This is not one of the stories that you picture being real.”
The Waterfront, which premiered on Thursday, June 19, follows the Buckley family, who have ruled the North Carolina town of Havenport for decades. Their attempt to retain control of their fishing empire ultimately leads them to more dangerous activities.
In typical Williamson fashion, The Waterfront brought together several familiar faces — especially from The CW. In addition to Campbell, the series stars Holt McCallany, Maria Bello, Melissa Benoist, Jake Weary, Rafael L. Silva and Humberly González.
The opening shot of the series also felt like a nod to Williamson’s past projects with a reunion between The Vampire Diaries alums Zach Roerig and Matt Davis. Campbell revealed she “didn’t even know” about the connection until later.
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“I never actually got to see them. That being said, what’s special about Kevin is when he makes connections with people and really admires their work, he finds roles that they are perfect for. He really likes to make that opportunity something tangible,” she told Us. “With Melissa, she and I had known each other in crossing. But she had never worked with Kevin before. Honestly, her and I clicked so easily. I think that the opportunity to get to work with Melissa has been the greatest treat. She felt like a sister to me the first time I ever met her. So getting to work with her has been such a real gift.”
Campbell’s character on The Waterfront, Peyton, is married to Jake Weary‘s Cane, who is the brother of Bree (Benoist). Without giving too much away, Campbell teased how Peyton was created for the show.
“Peyton is a southern woman, but she doesn’t fit the stereotypical trope of who a southern woman is. That was really important to both Kevin and I because we wanted her to represent a strong woman who has her hands in so many different places all the time,” Campbell teased. “Ultimately, what we wanted to do with her was explain that she’s not just what you see visually. The first time you meet her on screen, there’s so much more going on behind her eyes. She’s someone that I want to grow up to be because she is such a powerhouse. But she doesn’t need to showcase it. She just walks in a room and she’s attuned to everything that’s happening. She’ll do it with a smile on her face, but there’s so much going on behind. That’s something that’s really powerful about her.”
The Waterfront is currently streaming on Netflix.
