I want to start off by saying that the CW’s version of Nancy Drew isn’t an adaptation of the books your mother grew up reading. Sure, some of the character names might be the same and Nancy Drew is still a small town amateur detective but don’t let that fool you into thinking that this version is just going to relive the same plot lines as the book series.
The series follows titular character Nancy Drew (Kennedy McMann) and her friends George (Leah Lewis), Ned “Nick” Nickerson (Tunji Kasim), Bess (Maddison Jaizani), and Ace (Alex Saxon) who all work at the Claw, a seaside diner in the fictional town of Horseshoe Bay, Maine. Nancy and her friends solve the town’s mysteries much like the Nancy Drew in the books, but unlike the books where the supernatural always has a scientific explanation, the ghosts and spirits in the CW’s series are real and cause a lot of problems for the Drew Crew.
While the series itself can sometimes have that classic campy CW feel of over the top teen drama, I still find it immensely enjoyable and I think it really starts to find its footing in the back half of season 1. Plus, the seaside aesthetic of the claw and small-town Maine add to the spooky ambiance and pull you into the ghost story even further.
It’s not all about mysteries and horror though. In fact, some of the most compelling storylines are about the five main characters and the complex interpersonal dynamics between them and their families. Without spoiling too much, I will say that my personal favorite dynamic is between Nancy and Ace and if the writers play their cards right, it could be the perfect recipe for a slow burn romance.
If you’re a fan of the classic Nancy Drew book series and want a true-to-form adaptation, this show isn’t that, but I still think that you should give it a chance because you might just like it. Give it a few episodes and get to know the main characters and you might just find yourself hooked like an Atlantic cod.
Nancy Drew is currently in is second season and just got picked up for a third season, so now is the perfect time to catch up on the series. You can watch season 1 for free on the CW’s website.
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