• Network: The CW
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 9, 2019
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
55

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 12
  2. Negative: 1 out of 12
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Critic Reviews

  1. Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Sep 23, 2019
    55
    The pilot offers fine post-teen drama, but it lacks the nod and wink of lead-in “Riverdale” and so far is more grounded and less insane, a positive or negative depending on one’s love of the crazy.
  2. Reviewed by: Allison Shoemaker
    Oct 10, 2019
    50
    This series has some considerable flaws, and as you might guess, can be fairly derivative, but it’s got a great lead in Kennedy McCann.
  3. Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Oct 9, 2019
    50
    There are elements to this sexed-up and murdered-up version of Nancy Drew that feel entertaining and nicely updated and the cast is decent, albeit extraordinarily CW-y. But somehow fiction's original teenage girl detective has been brought back to TV in a way that feels primarily derivative.
  4. Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Oct 4, 2019
    50
    The main mystery surrounding this show, as initially constituted, is what would prompt an audience immersed in so much similar content to stick around.
  5. Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Oct 3, 2019
    50
    [Kennedy] McCann has some presence — she’s credible as the wised-up, slightly jaded, imperfect version of the spunky teenage sleuth — but there’s a dullness to the ensemble; no one’s striking sparks off one another the way performers like Adam Brody, Rachel Bilson, Peter Gallagher and Tate Donovan did in Schwartz’s first beachside drama, “The O.C.”
  6. Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Oct 4, 2019
    45
    Newcomer Kennedy McMahon, who plays the title role in The CW's new version of Nancy Drew, certainly passes the cuteness test. But her Nancy falls short in every other respect.
  7. Reviewed by: Daniel D'Addario
    Oct 8, 2019
    40
    Given the degree to which “Nancy Drew” attempts to coast by on sheer attitude, it should come as no surprise that the mystery is fundamentally uninteresting and that Nancy’s friends, in the show’s first two hours, are undistinguished. The show is less a series with characters and plot than an attempt at a haunted mood.
User Score
5.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 22
  2. Negative: 10 out of 22
  1. May 14, 2020
    10
    This is one of my top 10 favorite new shows of 2019. I love how they mix mystery, drama, and horror all in one show. The writing and storylineThis is one of my top 10 favorite new shows of 2019. I love how they mix mystery, drama, and horror all in one show. The writing and storyline are phenomenal, I love all of the horror elements. The acting is excellent especially from Leah Lewis, Alex Saxon, Maddison Jaizani, Kennedy McMann, and Scott Wolf. The visual effects are outstanding especially Dead Lucy. Overall a pretty terrific first season. Full Review »
  2. Nov 1, 2019
    8
    Different than other adaptations of Nancy Drew, but I like where it's going after 3 episodes. Very different casting, interesting backgroundsDifferent than other adaptations of Nancy Drew, but I like where it's going after 3 episodes. Very different casting, interesting backgrounds on the characters.

    Too many people Pidgeon Hole adaptations to be true to the book. So you either have it in 1930's America, or you update it.

    The only thing I don't like is the location it is filmed. You can really easily tell that it's on the west coast.
    Full Review »
  3. MCE
    Oct 16, 2019
    1
    They destroyed the character of Nancy Drew for shock value and I find it repugnant. Everyone on the show is miserable and neurotic and NancyThey destroyed the character of Nancy Drew for shock value and I find it repugnant. Everyone on the show is miserable and neurotic and Nancy doesn’t even seem to any friends. It’s ridiculous. Furthermore, every teenager isn’t running around here having sex with everything that moves, so there was no excuse to inject meaningless sex in a less than 5 minutes in to the first episode. Modernizing a story does not mean including mindless promiscuity into it. I’m disgusted with the moronic professional critics not listening to the audience who say they don’t want this. Are they being paid? Do they have any taste? Was the point to make Nancy a miserable, licentious, and neurotic? Full Review »