Variety has learned, actor Freddie Prinze Jr. will be added to the cast list of The CW’s upcoming Nancy Drew television adaptation of Carolyn Keene’s book series. He will be joined by newcomer Kennedy McMann and will be playing Nancy’s father, Carson Drew.
A fitting casting choice, considering the actor’s previous credits in 1997’s slasher film I Know What You Did Last Summer as Ray Bronson and the 2000’s two live-action Scooby-Doo film adaptations. Although, audiences will be most familiar with his role as jock Zack Siler in 1999’s teen romantic comedy, She’s All That.
In the book series, the lawyer is described as being one of the best attorneys in River Heights, and is widely regarded as being highly skilled at his trade. He also was usually shown helping Nancy out with her cases by inadvertently giving her key information and clues that ultimately helped solve her mysteries. He even at times would be the victim of kidnapping as a result.
The upcoming tv series’ character description describes Carson Drew, as a man who attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter following the recent death of his wife – who in Keene’s canon, passed away when Nancy was very young. However, as Nancy discovers more details involved in her investigation of a local murder, unsettling secrets from Carson’s past begin to crop up.
The setting takes place during the summer after Nancy’s high school graduation, as the amateur sleuth attempts to leave her past behind and start her life anew. However a year after a family tragedy, she becomes involved in a murder investigation that reveals secrets about her hometown she never knew about before.
CBS Television Studios and Fake Empire (Gossip Girl, Chuck) will be producing the series’ pilot, with Larry Teng taking on directorial and executive producer duties. Noga Landau, Melinda Hsu Taylor, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage will also serve as the series’ creative team of writers on the project.