Tian Richards (Dumplin ‘) was chosen for the role of Tom Swift in an episode of the CW drama Nancy Drew, which will serve as a backdoor pilot for a potential spinoff series, now under development on the network.
What if Tom Swift goes to the series, Richards will continue in the title role.
In the spinoff episode planted by Nancy Drew, Tom Swift will clash with one of Nancy Drew’s investigations (Kennedy McMann), an event that Nancy interprets as supernatural and Tom believes to be cosmically paranormal. (This is not a traditional backdoor / spinoff pilot planted as Tom Swift is developing a regular pilot script, in addition to the title character that appears in Nancy Drew.)
Tom Swift, in Nancy Drew co-creators / executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, their banner Fake Empire and CBS Studios, are considered to be one of the strongest early CW contenders for next season.
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Co-created by Melinda Hsu Taylor of Nancy Drew and Noga Landau, with Cameron Johnson, Tom Swift – as previously revealed by the CW – follows the serialized adventures of its black, gay holder, billionaire inventor (Richards), who is launched into a world of science fiction conspiracy and unexplained phenomena after his father’s shocking disappearance. Tom takes the road in a quest to uncover the truth, leaving behind the comfort of his money-filled lifestyle, as he struggles to stay one step ahead of an Illuminati-scale group determined to stop him. Tom’s missions will demand his genius and talent for innovation guided by love, romance, friendship and the mysteries of the universe still unresolved.
As the Nancy Drew books that inspired the CW series, the Tom Swift series of books comes from the Stratemeyer Syndicate, which also publishes the Hardy Boys and Bobbsey Twins books.
Richards was most recently seen in Charge opposite Forest Whitaker, who was an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival. Additional credits include Netflix’s Dumplin ‘ with Jennifer Aniston, Being Mary Jane, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Christmas of a bad mother. He is represented by APA, Stride Management and Lucy Popkin and Hayes Robbins of Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.