TV exhibits like Supernatural don’t come round usually – which signifies that, when one does, it’s price paing consideration. With its mixture of horror, thriller, household bonds, and monster-of-the-week storytelling, Supernatural carved out an enormous and dependable fanbase throughout its 15 seasons. The collection grew to become a cultural establishment, because of the chemistry between Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), its mythology-rich arcs, and the sheer emotional weight of its long-running story. For a lot of followers, Supernatural wasn’t only a present. It was a weekly ritual, and when it lastly got here to a detailed in 2020, it left behind a void that few collection have dared to fill.
Nonetheless, one present really did, and it did so quietly – Nancy Drew. Premiering on The CW again in 2019, this contemporary, supernatural-tinged reimagining of the traditional detective character discovered its personal voice and shortly grew to become one of many community’s most underrated collection. Whereas it by no means fairly reached the identical degree of mainstream recognition as Supernatural, Nancy Drew had lots of the identical parts that made that present so particular. Over the course of 4 seasons, it crafted an intricate mythology, launched a lovable ensemble of characters, and delivered genuinely creepy mysteries. For followers of Supernatural who nonetheless haven’t given it a shot, Nancy Drew would be the good subsequent obsession.
Nancy Drew Is A Hidden Gem From The CW
A Trendy Thriller With Supernatural Twists Made Nancy Drew Extra Than Simply A Teen Drama
Nancy Drew premiered on The CW in October 2019 and ran for 4 seasons, wrapping up in 2023. Adapted from the Edward Stratemeyer novels by Noga Landau and Josh Schwartz (of The O.C. and Gossip Woman fame), the collection supplied a darker, moodier tackle the long-lasting literary sleuth. Whereas earlier diversifications of Nancy Drew leaned into camp or traditional thriller, the CW’s model introduced a supernatural edge that made it instantly stand out. The present shortly established that its model of Horseshoe Bay, Maine was haunted – actually – and that Nancy’s instances would usually cross paths with ghosts, curses, and different paranormal forces.
The solid of Nancy Drew was additionally extremely well-rounded. The collection starred Kennedy McMann as Nancy Drew, a whip-smart former teenage detective grappling with trauma and secrets and techniques that run deep inside her household and her city. Becoming a member of her have been a tight-knit group of allies who grew to become often known as the Drew Crew: George Fan (Leah Lewis), Bess Marvin (Maddison Jaizani), Ned “Nick” Nickerson (Tunji Kasim), and Ace (Alex Saxon). Collectively, they confronted ghostly possessions, lethal mysteries, and long-buried city secrets and techniques.
What set Nancy Drew apart wasn’t simply its supernatural parts however the way in which it balanced them with character growth. The present dove deep into themes of grief, id, and household legacy. Whereas the thriller of the week format made it accessible, overarching storylines added depth, retaining long-time viewers hooked. It additionally wasn’t afraid to get bizarre or scary, usually embracing horror extra confidently than different CW dramas. What’s extra, all of this was packaged with slick writing, emotionally complicated arcs, and a real sense of stakes.
Even because it flew below the radar, Nancy Drew constructed a powerful cult following. It blended gothic horror with grounded emotional storytelling, and in doing so, proved itself to be one in all The CW’s most refined style exhibits.
Followers Of Supernatural Will Love Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew Captured The Similar Combine Of Paranormal Thriller And Emotional Depth As Supernatural
TV shows like Supernatural earned their fandoms by providing one thing past commonplace monster searching – one thing layered, character-driven, and emotionally resonant. That’s precisely why Nancy Drew is such a powerful non secular successor. On the floor, it could appear to be a teen drama retooling a traditional detective, however beneath, it’s a richly layered supernatural collection with deep mythology, emotional character arcs, and a dedication to serialized storytelling.
Very similar to Supernatural, Nancy Drew leans arduous into the spooky. The ghosts and supernatural lore aren’t window dressing. Very similar to the demons and foes confronted by the Winchester bothers, the entities haunting Maine are central to the plot and mythos in Nancy Drew. In truth, the present’s first season kicks off with a ghost that haunts Nancy and the city of Horseshoe Bay, making a long-term arc that spans a number of seasons. What’s extra, identical to Supernatural‘s finest episodes, Nancy Drew isn’t afraid to kill off beloved characters or dive into unsettling territory.
Whereas Supernatural centered on brotherhood, Nancy Drew focuses on discovered household.
The emotional core is simply as sturdy. Whereas Supernatural centered on brotherhood, Nancy Drew focuses on discovered household. The Drew Crew turns into a unit in the identical manner the Winchester brothers had Castiel, Bobby, and others. Every character has wealthy backstories, ongoing emotional journeys, and sophisticated dynamics with the group. Nancy’s relationship together with her estranged father Carson Drew (Scott Wolf), particularly, carries a lot of the emotional weight and displays the form of troublesome household relationships that Supernatural explored.
Stylistically, the exhibits additionally share a temper – foggy cities, eerie lighting, and a melancholic tone that units them other than lighter style fare. What’s extra, in true Supernatural trend, Nancy Drew balances the horror with humor and coronary heart. It’s the form of present that will get below your pores and skin, then makes you snigger 5 minutes later.
For followers lacking the mixture of paranormal thrills and grounded emotional storytelling that Supernatural delivered so persistently, Nancy Drew is likely one of the finest TV exhibits like Supernatural that you simply would possibly’ve missed.
Nancy Drew Deserved A Higher Destiny Than Its Unusual Cancellation
The Abrupt Ending Felt Extra Like A Community Failure Than A Inventive One
Regardless of the energy of its storytelling and a passionate fanbase, Nancy Drew was unceremoniously cancelled after its fourth season. The collection wrapped in August 2023, however the determination to finish it got here with little warning. In response to govt producer Melinda Hsu Taylor, the showrunners have been solely knowledgeable of the cancellation after that they had already written many of the closing season (through Deadline). This left them scrambling to create a satisfying ending on quick discover, one thing they managed impressively nicely given the circumstances.
The cancellation was a part of a broader shift at The CW following its 2022 acquisition by Nexstar. The brand new possession minimize ties with lots of the community’s signature scripted collection, together with Legacies, Stargirl, and The Winchesters, all of which catered to followers of TV exhibits like Supernatural. In Nancy Drew’s case, the solid and crew weren’t even allowed to correctly promote the finale. Hsu Taylor revealed in 2023 that they have been instructed to not “exit and promote this as your closing season,” leaving followers blindsided when the collection ended.
It felt like a present that also had years of tales left to inform.
It is actually a disgrace, as a result of Nancy Drew was nonetheless creatively peaking. Season 4 featured a number of the present’s boldest swings, most emotional moments, and finest horror storytelling. It additionally gave followers closure on long-running arcs, particularly the romantic one between Nancy and Ace, with out dashing character growth. It felt like a present that also had years of tales left to inform. Nonetheless, the 4 seasons of Nancy Drew that exist are nonetheless nicely price watching. They inform an entire and compelling story, stuffed with supernatural twists, eerie instances, and the most effective ensemble casts on community TV. For followers in search of TV exhibits like Supernatural that supply each a spooky vibe and robust character arcs, Nancy Drew stays a must-watch, even when it by no means obtained the ending it deserved.
