There's a pretty good chance you read the Nancy Drew mystery books when you were a kid. The teenage sleuth is a bona-fide pop culture icon, but strangely enough, there have been very few successful adaptations on either the big screen [1] or TV. Fresh off its success in rebooting another American classic for contemporary audiences (Riverdale [2]), The CW is trying its hand [3] at the story of Nancy Drew with a brand-new drama series [4]. Nancy and her friends are such iconic characters, so it makes sense that the show's cast almost entirely comprises actors who haven't yet had a career-defining role. Before the series debuts, get to know who's playing all the iconic characters you remember!
Kennedy McMann as Nancy Drew
The CW tapped a true newcomer for the role of the most famous teenage sleuth in pop culture. McMann only just finished her acting degree in 2018; prior to being cast in Nancy Drew, her only credits were guest spots on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Gone.
Tunji Kasim as Ned "Nick" Nickerson
Nancy's longtime love interest, Ned, is set to be played by Scottish-born Kasim, whose career has largely been on the stage. His biggest screen credit to date is in the British teen drama Nearly Famous.
Leah Lewis as George
Lewis, who's set to play one of Nancy's best friends, has had a steady career over the past several years, including recent spots on The Good Doctor and Station 19. CW fans will also recognise her as Angela Wu, a pivotal character in the earliest arc of the rebooted Charmed.
Alex Saxon as Ace
As Ace, a charming and philosophical "burnout," Saxon returns to the small screen in another series regular role. He's also had significant roles on the short-lived series The Fix and Finding Carter and had a recurring role as Wyatt for several season on The Fosters.
Maddison Jaizani as Bess
Jaizani is slated to play Bess, the wealthy young woman who makes up the third member of Nancy's classic trio of friends. The actress already has had two major TV gigs: as Odessa on Into the Badlands and as noblewoman Sophie on the period drama Versailles.
Riley Smith as Ryan Hudson
Smith's TV career has been ongoing for years and features such major titles as Joan of Arcadia, 24, Freaks and Geeks, and True Blood, among others. Here, he plays a suspicious wealthy man whose wife is the victim of the murder that kicks off the plot.
Scott Wolf as Carson Drew
To play Nancy's estranged father, Nancy Drew turned to a longtime TV vet. Wolf has starred on series including Party of Five, Everwood, and the remake of V. After Freddie Prinze Jr. was initially cast in the role, the series recast it with Wolf prior to filming.