Netflix’s 2-Part British Crime Drama Is The Closest We’ll Get To A Modern Nancy Drew

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Netflix’s new British crime drama is a fresh take on the classic detective story, offering a modern counterpart to characters like Nancy Drew. While British television is famous for its crime shows – ranging from suspenseful thrillers to comforting mysteries – this series stands out by focusing on a new kind of detective: teenagers fascinated by true crime, who use social media and the internet to solve mysteries.

Many Americans grew up reading about Nancy Drew, the brave teenage detective first created in the 1930s. She was meant to be a female version of the popular Hardy Boys, but over time, Nancy Drew actually became more well-known and influential. She’s been featured in numerous books, comics, TV shows, and films. Most recently, she starred in the CW’s four-season TV series, Nancy Drew, which aired from 2019 onwards.

If you enjoy mysteries with a clever, determined detective and a suspenseful, British vibe, check out A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, now streaming on Netflix and the BBC. This two-season series (with a likely third on the way) is based on the books by Holly Jackson and stars Emma Myers, known from Wednesday. She plays Pippa “Pip” Fitz-Amobi, a teenage amateur sleuth who reopens a five-year-old murder case. As Pip investigates the death of Andie Bell, she uncovers dangerous secrets and shocking violence in her quiet town, putting herself at risk to find the truth.

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder’s Pip Is A 21st Century Nancy Drew

Nancy Drew is consistently portrayed as determined, clever, and courageous, whether she’s solving a minor mystery or facing a truly frightening one. However, while people have tried to modernize the character for today’s audiences, those updates haven’t always been successful.

The 2007 film starring Emma Roberts as Nancy Drew aimed to launch a new series, but changes to the characters felt superficial and didn’t capture the spirit of the classic literary figure. As a result, plans for sequels were abandoned. In contrast, Sophia Lillis’s portrayal of Nancy in the 2019 remake of Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase was a stronger adaptation, though the film wasn’t a commercial success.

The CW’s Nancy Drew, starring the energetic Kennedy McMann, was an enjoyable and creative take on the classic character. However, the show leaned heavily into the supernatural, transforming Nancy into someone who felt more like a combination of Nancy Wheeler from Stranger Things and Buffy Summers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer – constantly battling evil forces. While she still occasionally used her detective skills, the show’s genre ultimately made her feel less like a successor to the Hardy Boys and more like a replacement for the monster-hunting Winchester brothers from Supernatural.

Pip, the main character in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, feels like a modern take on Nancy Drew. She’s intelligent, resourceful, determined, and has a knack for seeing through people. She uncovers clues the police overlooked, deeply investigates the lives of her classmates, and bravely pursues suspects, even when they’re intimidating. Once Pip is committed to something, she doesn’t give up – even if it means hurting the people she cares about.

Pip is a typical teenager today, and her investigation into the Andie Bell case is deeply connected to the challenges of modern teen life. She deals with issues like drugs, relationships, and fitting in, all while determined to uncover the truth and clear someone’s name. Like a modern version of Nancy Drew, Pip is a smart and resourceful young detective, and a welcome addition to the small number of fictional female detectives who solve mysteries on their own.

Emma Meyers Is The Undeniable Highlight Of A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder

While Emma Meyers is known for her role as the cheerful friend in Netflix’s popular series Wednesday, her performance in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder shows she’s a leading actress. She brilliantly plays the main character, and her powerful, determined performance drives the entire show. Meyers portrays a character who is both captivating and complex, fiercely pursuing the truth while struggling to maintain her relationships.

Despite appearing strong on the outside, Pippa, as portrayed by Meyers, is deeply vulnerable. She’s a realistic character – not a superhero – and is clearly flawed, driven by a strong desire for justice, even if it means crossing boundaries. Meyers delivers a genuine performance, particularly in the more emotional scenes, showing how Pippa struggles with difficult court cases, missing friends, and a thirst for revenge. While we wait for a new Nancy Drew adaptation, Pippa Fitz-Amobi from A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a fantastic substitute.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder season 2 is streaming now, only on Netflix.

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2026-05-30 14:38