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The CW continues making all kinds of news this week. Following reports yesterday from The Wall Street Journal that Nexstar Media Group was close to finalizing a deal to control a majority stake in the network (with Paramount Global & Warner Bros. Discovery each keeping 12.5% control), today we learned of one show that won’t be around by the time the deal gets done. The recently-premiered Tian Richards-starring “Nancy Drew” spinoff series Tom Swift will not be returning, with CBS Studios reportedly looking to extend the options on the cast in order to have the time to shop the series elsewhere. The cancellation is said to be performance-based, with the series among the network’s least-watched series on linear (with 535K viewers in Live+7) as well as on streaming (Deadline Hollywood exclusive reporting).
Here’s a look back at one of the original series trailers along with a series/season overview:
As an exceptionally brilliant inventor with unlimited resources and unimaginable wealth, the devilishly charming Tom Swift (Tian Richards) is a man who many men would kill to be, or be with – a man with the world in the palm of his hand. But that world gets shaken to its core after the shocking disappearance of his father, thrusting Tom into a breathtaking adventure full of mysterious conspiracies and unexplained phenomena. On his whirlwind quest to unravel the truth, Tom finds himself fighting to stay one step ahead of an Illuminati-scale cabal hellbent on stopping him.
Tackling this treacherous pursuit armed with his vast intellect, his roguish wit, and an endless supply of designer sneakers, he will also rely on his closest companions: his best friend Zenzi (Ashleigh Murray), whose unabashed and unvarnished candor keeps Tom grounded while she forges a path for herself as a business visionary; his bodyguard Isaac (Marquise Vilsón), whose fierce commitment to his chosen family is complicated by his own simmering feelings for Tom; and his AI, Barclay (voiced by LeVar Burton), whose insights and tough love have been a constant throughout Tom’s life.
At home, Tom’s relationship with his mother Lorraine (April Parker Jones) becomes conflicted as she urges him to take his father’s place in elite Black society. But unbeknownst to Tom, his mother’s request is driven by deep secrets of her own. What’s more, the mysterious and dangerous Rowan (Albert Mwangi) intersects Tom’s path with hidden motivations and undeniable mutual chemistry. While Tom navigates these emotionally charged dynamics, his missions will require his genius and his flair for innovation guided by romance, friendship, and the mysteries of the universe yet unsolved.
The CW‘s Tom Swift stars Tian Richards, Ashleigh Murray, Marquise Vilsón, April Parker Jones, and Albert Mwangi, with LeVar Burton as the voice of Barclay, Tom’s AI. The series is a production of CBS Studios in association with Fake Empire and was co-created by Melinda Hsu Taylor (Nancy Drew, The Gifted), Noga Landau (Nancy Drew, The Magicians), and Cameron Johnson (Empire). Taylor, Landau & Johnson also serve as executive producers along with Josh Schwartz (Nancy Drew, Gossip Girl, Dynasty), Stephanie Savage (Nancy Drew, Gossip Girl, Dynasty), and Lis Rowinski (Nancy Drew, Gossip Girl, Dynasty). The character of Tom Swift was originally introduced to audiences in season two of Nancy Drew. The series is inspired by the “Tom Swift” book series that hails from Stratemeyer Syndicate, which also publishes the “Nancy Drew,” “Hardy Boys,” and “Bobbsey Twins” books.