Topher Grace’s Netflix villain role in the crime drama series The Waterfront has captivated audiences since its June 19, 2025 release, dominating the platform’s English-language charts. Grace arrives as Grady, a menacing drug supplier in the fictional coastal town of Havenport, North Carolina, delivering a thrilling performance that leaves a significant mark halfway through the season.
Known for his comedic work as Eric Foreman on That 70’s Show, Topher Grace is no stranger to complex characters, but The Waterfront allows him to fully embrace the dark side. Prior to this, Grace memorably played antagonist roles such as Billy Bauer in Black Mirror and the infamous David Duke in Spike Lee’s Oscar-winning BlacKkKlansman. The Netflix series showcases his talent for portraying multidimensional villains and cements his standing as a remarkable antagonist in contemporary television.
Grace’s Journey from Likeable Characters to Fearsome Villains
For many fans, Topher Grace’s casting as a villain in The Waterfront might come as a surprise, given his longstanding image as a good guy in both film and television. However, his early villainous turn as Venom/Eddie Brock in Spider-Man 3, opposite Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker, signaled his capacity for darker roles. He later demonstrated his range as David Duke, the real-life former leader of the Ku Klux Klan, alongside John David Washington, Adam Driver, and Alec Baldwin in BlacKkKlansman. In The Waterfront, Grace delivers an unpredictable and maniacal performance as Grady, drawing comparisons to iconic comic book foes, embodying a chaos-bringer against Holt McCallany’s character.
After several years focusing on more sympathetic roles, Grace’s return to the villain archetype reinvigorates his filmography. While his recent work includes morally ambiguous parts, such as Winston in Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk and a non-villainous presence in the horror thriller Heretic, his latest performance as Grady attests to his versatility. Looking forward, Grace is set to appear in the ensemble drama Huntington, written and directed by John Patton Ford, with cast members Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Bill Camp, and Ed Harris, although his role remains under wraps.
The Creation of Grady: A Villain Crafted for Grace
The Waterfront’s creator, Kevin Williamson, renowned for penning Scream and Dawson’s Creek, specifically envisioned Topher Grace for the role of Grady. In an interview with Ash Crossan, Williamson explained his casting approach, emphasizing the importance of subverting expectations by bringing in an actor known for warmth and humor.
I wanted someone who was so darn likable, and someone that we knew to be so darn cute and funny and winning in all those ways in which you don’t usually see a psychotic psychopath, a horrible person.
—Kevin Williamson, Creator
This approach results in Grady’s wild unpredictability and charismatic menace. Grace’s nuanced portrayal brings both danger and energy to the antagonist, providing a unique blend of brutality and offbeat charisma that elevates the show’s tension.
Williamson further elaborated on his vision for the character:
I like when really, really, really nice, funny people do really evil things. He really plays the duality very well.
—Kevin Williamson, Creator
Grace’s performance as Grady is a highlight of The Waterfront, giving the crime drama an edge and injecting a necessary villainous force that propels the story forward. Although Grace’s fate in the narrative seems to rule out his return for a second season, his turn as Grady is likely to influence casting decisions for future antagonist roles in both TV and film.
Supporting Cast and Characters in The Waterfront
Topher Grace is joined in The Waterfront by a distinguished cast. Holt McCallany plays Harlan Buckley, bringing a morally conflicted gravitas to his role, while Maria Bello takes on the part of Mae Buckley, adding depth to the show’s portrayal of family and loyalty within the criminal underworld. Their performances build the emotional and narrative stakes, ensuring that Grace’s Grady stands out as a formidable adversary.
The ensemble’s collective chemistry, combined with Kevin Williamson’s sharp writing, creates a dynamic viewing experience that keeps audiences engaged. With memorable performances and shocking narrative developments, the series has secured its place at the forefront of streaming entertainment.
Grace’s unforgettable villainous role in The Waterfront not only surprises long-time fans but also signals new possibilities for his future in complex, dark characters. As The Waterfront continues to attract viewers and critical attention, it stands as a showcase for Topher Grace’s undeniable talent in redefining what it means to be a villain on screen.
