Nancy Drew (2019): Season 1

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Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Ratings

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4.6

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4.6	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

The CW | Season Premiere Date: October 9, 2019

Summary: 18-year-old Nancy Drew (Kennedy McMann) was ready to leave for college when the death of her mother delays her plans and she becomes involved in a murder investigation in the series based on the classic mystery novels.

Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

No episode information is currently available for this season

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Critic Reviews

Bruce Miller

Sep 23, 2019

It’s gritty in a new way and, yes, lots of fun. Read full review

Judy Berman

Sep 23, 2019

There’s nothing life-changing about the show, but it combines the most appealing elements of the increasingly off-the-rails Riverdale—an updated cultural archetype, retro production design, fast-paced storytelling and even a ’90s teen-idol dad (Party of Five‘s Scott Wolf)—in a way that’s pretty satisfying. Read full review

IndieWire LaToya Ferguson

Oct 9, 2019

While this series goes forth as a supernatural thriller approach to the Nancy Drew story, it doesn’t go overboard with the supernatural element, realizing that less is more in this type of story. ... McMann’s Nancy Drew is quite likable early on, save for the character’s obvious flaws and immature reactions to certain things. Read full review

Mike Hale

Oct 3, 2019

[Kennedy] McCann has some presence — she’s credible as the wised-up, slightly jaded, imperfect version of the spunky teenage sleuth — but there’s a dullness to the ensemble; no one’s striking sparks off one another the way performers like Adam Brody, Rachel Bilson, Peter Gallagher and Tate Donovan did in Schwartz’s first beachside drama, “The O.C.” Read full review

Dan Fienberg

Oct 9, 2019

There are elements to this sexed-up and murdered-up version of Nancy Drew that feel entertaining and nicely updated and the cast is decent, albeit extraordinarily CW-y. But somehow fiction's original teenage girl detective has been brought back to TV in a way that feels primarily derivative. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Oct 4, 2019

The main mystery surrounding this show, as initially constituted, is what would prompt an audience immersed in so much similar content to stick around. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Oct 3, 2019

Instead of seeming empowered and cool, the show is dreadful, putting far too much effort in giving Nancy and her world a darker edge. ... Shoddy attempt to remold her. Read full review

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4.6

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User Reviews

manningn15

May 14, 2020

This is one of my top 10 favorite new shows of 2019. I love how they mix mystery, drama, and horror all in one show. The writing and storyline are phenomenal, I love all of the horror elements. The acting is excellent especially from Leah Lewis, Alex Saxon, Maddison Jaizani, Kennedy McMann,This is one of my top 10 favorite new shows of 2019. I love how they mix mystery, drama, and horror all in one show. The writing and storyline are phenomenal, I love all of the horror elements. The acting is excellent especially from Leah Lewis, Alex Saxon, Maddison Jaizani, Kennedy McMann, and Scott Wolf. The visual effects are outstanding especially Dead Lucy. Overall a pretty terrific first season.… Expand

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coxmh

Nov 1, 2019

Different than other adaptations of Nancy Drew, but I like where it's going after 3 episodes. Very different casting, interesting backgrounds on the characters.

Too many people Pidgeon Hole adaptations to be true to the book. So you either have it in 1930's America, or you update it.Different than other adaptations of Nancy Drew, but I like where it's going after 3 episodes. Very different casting, interesting backgrounds on the characters.

Too many people Pidgeon Hole adaptations to be true to the book. So you either have it in 1930's America, or you update it.

The only thing I don't like is the location it is filmed. You can really easily tell that it's on the west coast.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Mayze

Oct 14, 2019

Nothing like the Carolyn Keene ND.
Plot was good and can go in many directions. Hope the season lasts because of the diverse cast and relationships. I look forward to watching the "whole" season and look forward to many more seasons.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MCE

Oct 16, 2019

They destroyed the character of Nancy Drew for shock value and I find it repugnant. Everyone on the show is miserable and neurotic and Nancy doesn’t even seem to any friends. It’s ridiculous. Furthermore, every teenager isn’t running around here having sex with everything that moves, soThey destroyed the character of Nancy Drew for shock value and I find it repugnant. Everyone on the show is miserable and neurotic and Nancy doesn’t even seem to any friends. It’s ridiculous. Furthermore, every teenager isn’t running around here having sex with everything that moves, so there was no excuse to inject meaningless sex in a less than 5 minutes in to the first episode. Modernizing a story does not mean including mindless promiscuity into it. I’m disgusted with the moronic professional critics not listening to the audience who say they don’t want this. Are they being paid? Do they have any taste? Was the point to make Nancy a miserable, licentious, and neurotic?… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Unseelie_Faerie

Oct 11, 2019

As a long time fan of Nancy Drew I can safely say that this series wasn't made for long time fans. There's too many changes. Right off the bat with the pilot, it doesn't have the true Nancy Drew feel and if the pilot is supposed to set up the rest of the series it doesn't bode well. It tiedAs a long time fan of Nancy Drew I can safely say that this series wasn't made for long time fans. There's too many changes. Right off the bat with the pilot, it doesn't have the true Nancy Drew feel and if the pilot is supposed to set up the rest of the series it doesn't bode well. It tied up threads almost too quickly (already). Ned is seemingly the only character that has the most in common with his book counterpart, which isn't to say it's accurate. The actor mostly fits Ned's basic description (tall,dark and handsome lol) and his loyalty to Nancy. I will admit the fact that the change from white to black also meant a change from honor student quarterback to ex-con, was not the smartest move on their part. A lot of the characters don't feel like the characters they're supposed to be. George and Bess(no longer cousins) may be the biggest offenders next to Carson Drew. Totally annoyed that they casted a skinny girl to play Bess, it's 2019 I expected her original weight to not be ignored/shamed. George doesn't seem to have much of an personality beyond a bad attitude, tattoos, and a leather jacket. So basically the same as any cliche bad boy/girl from every movie/tv show/book/dating sim ever made. Carson is just a jerk and lawyers can't represent their own children. I'm fine with him having a love interest but since they have Nancy's mom die a year before the show takes place instead of when she was a kid, it's actually really uncomfortable. It has little to do with the source material besides the small snippets and the actress playing Nancy reenacting a few covers. It feels like they came up with the concept and put Nancy's name on it for attention. Fans who've only vaguely heard of her before would enjoy it more than someone whose known her all their life(like I have). This could be fine for a season but I can't see it going on longer than that.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

55

Series Overview
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: January 20, 2021
Season 1

55
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 9, 2019
- No episode information is currently available for this season