The Swift Squad is assembling! Deadline exclusively reported that Marquise Vilsón, April Parker Jones, and Albert Mwangi will join Tom Swift as series regulars. The CW series is a spin-off of Nancy Drew and will be co-created by Melinda Hsu Taylor, Noga Landau, and Cameron Johnson. Here’s the latest on the new characters and actors, who will join Tian Richards and Ashleigh Murray.
Isaac Vega (Vilsón): Tom’s loyal bodyguard, who according to the character description has “simmering feelings for Tom” that will never get in the way of his job. Notably, Isaac is transgender and pansexual. Vilsón is best known for his groundbreaking roles in Law and Order: SVU and No Ordinary Man. He is also a successful transgender activist and advocate who has received multiple awards for his work with the Safe Horizons Streetwork Project. He is also a leader in the ballroom community as a member of the House of Balenciaga, honored as a Transman ICON.
Lorraine Swift (Parker Jones): Tom’s loving mother who is the epitome of society royalty. According to the description, Tom’s father’s disappearance will “drive a wedge” between them. Parker Jones is best known for her work in Jericho, If Loving You Is Wrong, and Supergirl.
Rowan (Mwangi): A security detail member for a Congressman who will cross paths with Tom, Rowan will have to hide his past — and his “star crossed feelings” for Tom. Mwangi was a Casting Guild of Australia Rising Star honoree in 2020, an award that has helped propel actors like Katherine Langford (13 Reasons Why) and Eliza Scanlen (Little Women, Sharp Objects) to international recognition.
The creators behind Tom Swift have long said they planned to include diverse LGBTQ+ characters on the series. Tom himself is the first gay Black man to lead a network show. Hsu Taylor specifically named transgender representation as a priority, citing her son as inspiration.
There is no premiere date yet for Tom Swift, but production is underway in Atlanta. Stay tuned for more news as we get it, and you can find the rest of our coverage here!
