Tian Richards (Dumplin ‘) was cast for the role of Tom Swift in an upcoming episode of the CW drama Nancy Drew, which will serve as a backdoor for a potential spin-off series, which is now being developed in the network.
As Tom Swift going series, Richards will continue in the title role.
In the planted spin-off episode of Nancy Drew, Tom Swift will get caught up in one of Nancy Drew’s (Kennedy McMann) investigations, an event that Nancy interprets as supernatural and Tom believes is cosmically paranormal. (This is not a traditional backdoor / planted spin-off if Tom Swift develops a regular pilot, in addition to the title character that appears on Nancy Drew.)
Tom Swift, of Nancy Drew co-creators / executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, their Fake Empire banner and CBS Studios, are considered one of the CW’s strongest early rivals for next season.
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Compiled by Melinda Hsu Taylor and Noga Landau of Nancy Drew, with Cameron Johnson, Tom Swift – as previously revealed by the CW – follows the series adventures of the title Black, Gay, Billionaire Inventor (Richards) who are driven into a world of scientific conspiracy and unexplained phenomena after the shocking disappearance of his father. Tom leaves on his way to unravel the truth and leave behind the conveniences of his usual money style, while fighting to stay one step ahead of an Illuminati-scale group to stop him. Tom’s missions require his genius and flair for innovation guided by love, romance, friendship and the mysteries of the universe that have yet to be solved.
Like the Nancy Drew books, which inspired the CW series, the Tom Swift book series comes from Stratemeyer Syndicate, which is also the Hardy Boys and Bobbsey Twins books.
Richards was recently seen in Burden opposite Forest Whitaker, which was an official choice at the Sundance Film Festival. Additional credits include Netflix Dumplin ‘ with Jennifer Aniston, Being Mary Jane, the immortal life of Henrietta is missing and A bad mom’s christmas. He is awarded by APA, Stride Management, and Lucy Popkin and Hayes Robbins of Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.