Surprise — we just went from knowing next to nothing about the Nancy Drew spinoff Tom Swift to having a clear premiere date AND a thorough series description. We even have a promotional image (see above). Up to this point, the only hint at what this show would be like was the backdoor pilot episode from Nancy’s second season. I have seen that episode, and assuming Tom’s character hasn’t changed from that appearance, I can describe him like this:
You know every character Will Smith has ever played? The smooth, cocky, self-assured dude with a one-liner for every situation that Smith always gets the role of? Tom Swift comes off as an RC Cola knockoff of that guy.
The CW‘s official logline hammers it home: “As an exceptionally brilliant inventor with unlimited resources and unimaginable wealth, the devilishly charming Tom Swift is a man who many men would kill to be, or be with, a man with the world in the palm of his hand. But that world gets shaken to its core after the shocking disappearance of his father, thrusting Tom into a breathtaking adventure full of mysterious conspiracies and unexplained phenomena. On his whirlwind quest to unravel the truth, Tom finds himself fighting to stay one step ahead of an Illuminati-scale cabal hellbent on stopping him.”
“Tom has his vast intellect, his roguish wit and an endless supply of designer sneakers; his BFF Zenzi, whose unabashed and unvarnished candor keeps Tom grounded while she forges a path for herself as a business visionary; his bodyguard Isaac, whose fierce commitment to his chosen family is complicated by his own simmering feelings for Tom; and his A.I. Barclay, whose insights and tough love have been a constant throughout Tom’s life.” There is actually more than this, but you get the idea.
Swaggery Gettin’ Jiggy Tom came off as “trying too hard” in the pilot, but given that this is from the Nancy Drew people, we’re willing to give it a shot. Tian Richards is still playing him, Ashleigh Murray (Riverdale) is playing Zenzi, Marquise Vilsón (Blindspot) is bodyguard Isaac, April Parker Jones (Bel-Air) plays his mother Lorraine, Albert Mwangi plays archenemy / possible love interest Rowan, and in the best casting of the whole series, LeVar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation) provides the voice of robot Barclay.
Tom Swift will premiere May 31 following a new episode of Superman And Lois, and presumably run all summer alongside whatever else The CW will keep going in the warm months.
Help Support PopGeeks
PopGeeks runs on reader support. We are not backed by corporate media, driven by algorithms, or overloaded with invasive ads. We are an independently run site created by fans, for fans, and we cover what we love: movies, TV, video games, comics, and tabletop RPGs.
Support PopGeeks for just $1/month and help keep our content free and ad-light. Your support covers hosting, pays our writers, and helps sustain independent coverage of movies, games, TV, and geek culture. Every dollar makes a difference.
This is a voluntary support payment. No physical goods or exclusive digital content are provided. PopGeeks content remains freely accessible to all. Sales tax does not apply.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. And thank you for helping PopGeeks stay fan-run, freely accessible, and fully independent.
Nancy Drew’s is getting a Television Universe now! I was disappointed when I found out Carolyn Keene is a variety of Ghost writers and not a single person.