Shadow and Act has learned that Tian Richards has landed the lead role in Tom Swift, the potential spinoff of The CW’s Nancy Drew. 

He will appear as Swift in a Nancy Drew season 2 episode and would play the role in the Tom Swift series that’s in development if it gets a series order.

Here’s the logline of the potential series: Tom Swift follows the serialized adventures of its titular Black, gay, billionaire inventor who is thrust into a world of sci-fi conspiracy and unexplained phenomena after the shocking disappearance of his father.  Tom takes to the road on a quest to unravel the truth, leaving behind the comforts of his usual moneyed lifestyle, all 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 yet-unsolved.

Richards was seen recently in the films Burden and Dumplin’. He’s also appeared on Being Mary Jane and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. 

Tom Swift is based on the book series and will be the start of building a ‘Drew-niverse,’ spawned by Nancy Drew. The potential series is based at CBS Studios, where Nancy Drew helmers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage are under a broadcast deal.  Melinda Hsu Taylor and Noga Landau, the showrunner and co-creator Nancy Drew, co-created the Tom Swift with Cameron Johnson and will write and executive produce. Schwartz, Savage and Lis Rowinski are also executive producers.