Tian Richardsis set to lead a TomSwiftspin-off at The CW. The series, which went into development in October 2020, has been handed a straight-to-series order by the network. Richards made his first appearance as Swift inNancy Drewback in May, in the episode “The Celestial Visitor,” which served as a backdoor pilot for the character.
Nancy DrewshowrunnerMelinda Hsu Taylorand series creatorsNoga Landau,Josh Schwartz,andStephanie Savagehave all been tapped by the network to work on the series.TomSwiftwas created by Taylor, Landau, andCameron Johnson, who will executive produce alongside Schwartz, Savage, andLis Rowinski. The new show is set to debut during the 2021-2022 broadcast season, but no official dates have been announced yet.
RELATED:Scott Wolf on Why He’s Grateful for a Second Chance at Starring in ‘Nancy Drew’
Tom Swiftis based on the eponymous book series, published in 1910 and created byEdward Stratemeyer, who later created classics likeThe Hardy BoysandNancy Drew. Over the course of the series' long life, heading into the early 2000s, Tom Swift, the Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew all crossed over into each other’s series.
The new TV series follows the adventures of the titular character, a Black queer billionaire inventor, who finds himself thrust into a world of sci-fi conspiracy, following his father’s mysterious disappearance. Tom takes to the road on a quest to unravel the truth, leaving behind the comforts of his usual moneyed lifestyle while fighting to stay one step ahead of an Illuminati-scale group hell-bent on stopping him. Tom’s missions will require his genius and flair for innovation guided by love, romance, friendship, and the mysteries of the universe that are yet unsolved.
This is the first major adaptation ofTom Swiftin film or television. In the early 20th century, Stratemeyer made attempts to produce a film, followed by subsequent attempts by others to produce radio series and television series about the titular character. Others attempted to adapt the series for the silver screen in 1968 and 1974.Colliderpreviously reported thatBarry SonnenfeldandBen David Grabinskiwere set to adapt theTom Swiftseries into a film back in 2009, but the project has not made it out of the planning stages.
TheTom Swiftseries does not have a release date yet, butNancy Drewreturns to The CW for a third season on October 8.
