So, let's talk about that 2019 reboot. Honestly, when people bring up the Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase cast, the first thing they usually mention is the hair. Or the skateboard. It was a massive departure from the 1930s "titian-haired" socialite we grew up reading about in the yellow-spined hardcovers.
Warner Bros. took a gamble here. They didn't go for a traditional, polished CW-style lead. Instead, they handed the magnifying glass to Sophia Lillis, fresh off her breakout role in IT. It changed the whole vibe. Suddenly, Nancy wasn't just a perfect student in a twinset; she was a bit of a social outcast with a punky attitude.
The Core Trio: Nancy, George, and Bess
The chemistry of the main friends is basically the heartbeat of any Nancy Drew adaptation. If they don't click, the mystery feels like a chore.
Sophia Lillis as Nancy Drew Lillis brought a very specific, naturalistic energy to the role. She’s not "Hollywood" in the traditional sense. Her Nancy is scrappy. She gets arrested for a prank in the first ten minutes. It’s a version of the character that feels like she actually lives in a small town and gets bored.
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Zoe Renee as George Fayne In this version, George isn't just the "tomboy" trope from the books. Zoe Renee plays her as the tech-savvy brains of the operation. She’s the one handling the digital side of the sleuthing, which makes sense for 2019. Her performance is sharp and grounded.
Mackenzie Graham as Bess Marvin Bess often gets the short end of the stick in adaptations—usually relegated to being the "scared one" or the one obsessed with boys. Graham’s Bess is the victim of a cyberbullying plot early on, which gives her a real reason to be part of the mystery. It wasn't just about tagging along; it was personal.
The Supporting Players Who Stole the Show
While the kids drive the plot, the adults in the Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase cast actually provided a lot of the heavy lifting for the "haunted house" atmosphere.
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- Linda Lavin as Flora: You probably recognize Lavin from Alice or a dozen other classic projects. She plays the eccentric owner of the "haunted" Twin Elms mansion. She’s hilarious and brings a much-needed warmth to the screen.
- Sam Trammell as Carson Drew: Moving on from True Blood, Trammell plays Nancy’s dad. Their relationship is actually one of the highlights. It’s not that typical "teenager hates parent" trope. They actually like each other. They say "I love you" and "I love you more." It’s refreshing.
- Laura Slade Wiggins as Helen Corning: Here’s a fun fact—Wiggins was actually much older than the rest of the high school cast during filming. She plays the "mean girl" who eventually turns into an ally. Her character arc is probably the most complex in the movie because she has to drop the popular-girl facade to help solve the mystery of her Great-Aunt Flora’s house.
Behind the Camera: A Surprising Connection
The director, Katt Shea, has a pretty wild resume. She’s known for much edgier stuff, like the 1992 thriller Poison Ivy. Having her direct a PG-rated family mystery was an interesting choice. You can see her influence in the way the movie handles the "peril" scenes. It’s not actually scary for adults, but for the target demographic? It’s got just enough tension.
Also, we have to mention Ellen DeGeneres. She was a primary producer on this. You can feel that influence in the humor—it’s light, a bit quirky, and very focused on "girl power" without being too preachy about it.
How It Compares to the 1939 Original
If you’re a real nerd for the franchise, you know this wasn’t the first time The Hidden Staircase hit the big screen. Back in 1939, Bonita Granville played Nancy.
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The differences are wild.
In the 39 version, Nancy had a boyfriend named Ted (played by Frankie Thomas). In 2019? No boyfriend. Nancy is too busy skateboarding and solving crimes to worry about a "Ted." The 1939 film was more of a screwball comedy, while the 2019 version feels more like a modern coming-of-age story wrapped in a ghost hunt.
Why This Cast Mattered for the Franchise
Look, the movie received mixed reviews. Some die-hard fans hated the blue skateboards and the modern slang. But the Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase cast succeeded in making Nancy feel human again.
Sophia Lillis didn't play a superhero. She played a kid who was smart, occasionally reckless, and deeply loyal. That’s why it still pops up on streaming services and Google Discover today. It’s a "comfort watch" because the cast feels like people you actually knew in high school—assuming your high school friends spent their weekends crawling through secret tunnels in old mansions.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this version of River Heights, your best bet is to look into the production notes from A Very Good Production. They intentionally cast actors who could handle comedy and "spooky" vibes simultaneously.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Sophia Lillis in I Am Not Okay With This if you want to see her lean more into the "outsider" persona she started here.
- Compare this cast to the CW Nancy Drew series cast (Kennedy McMann) to see how different creators interpret the "George" and "Bess" dynamic.
- Track down the 1939 Bonita Granville version on Turner Classic Movies to see just how much the "Carson Drew" character has evolved over eighty years.