Nancy Drew is one of the most classic, enduring stories out there. There have been a bunch of TV and movie versions based on the book series by Carolyn Keene, and fans will always want to see more contemporary interpretations of the young adult detective.
Great TV shows are well-suited to the Myers-Briggs® Personality Type indicator as the characters are what makes each episode worth it. This is true of the mysterious CW drama, Nancy Drew. Here is the MBTI of each of the main characters on Nancy Drew.
Katherine Drew: ISTJ
In the pilot of Nancy Drew, viewers learn that Nancy has lost her mom, Katherine, to cancer pretty recently, which has made things super tense in the house that she shares with her dad, Carson.
Katherine’s MBTI would be ISTJ or “Responsible Realist.” In a flashback scene, she’s learned about her illness and she and Carson are discussing it. When Nancy walks in on them and realizes that something is up, there’s a ton of pain on Katherine’s face. ISTJs are “dependable and systematic” and they’re also “duty bound.” Although viewers don’t learn a lot about this character, those seem to describe her, as it’s clear that she was an amazing mother and wife who faced her situation with dignity and strength.
Ryan Hudson: ESFP
Riley Smith’s Nancy Drew character, Ryan Hudson, is rich, full of himself, and thinks that he totally owns the town of Horseshoe Bay, Maine. He’s at The Claw when his wife, Tifanny, is killed, and viewers aren’t sure if he did it or if he’s innocent.
Ryan’s MBTI would be ESTP or “Enthusiastic Improviser.” He seems like the type of person who could charm his way out of absolutely anything. ESTPs are said to “enjoy life and being around other people” and he does seem to like being the center of attention in a crowd or group. He’s “persuasive” and “outgoing.”
Chief E.O. McGinnis: INFJ
Adam Beach plays Chief E.O. McGinnis, who doesn’t trust Nancy at all and thinks that she’s a whole lot of trouble. After Tifanny’s murder, he calls Nancy and her co-workers from The Claw into the police station to talk, and he definitely thinks that Nancy is a suspect.
The Chief is an INFJ or “Insightful Visionary” as he fits the traits of being “idealistic” and “determined.” Even if he doesn’t seem to have the best instincts (because of course Nancy isn’t trouble, she’s the one who is trying to solve the mystery), he seems to care about his job and the good of the town.
Detective Karen Hart: INTP
Karen Hart (Alvina August) is an INTP or “Objective Analyst.” As a detective with the police department, she fits the description perfectly: INTPs are “likely to build conceptual models to understand complex problems.”
She’s also “self-determined” and “mentally quick” and “contemplative.” Of course, as tends to be the case with characters who care a lot about their careers, her personal life is getting messy and complicated: she’s just begun dating Carson Drew, Nancy’s dad, and Nancy isn’t too thrilled about it.
Tiffany Hudson: INTJ
Tiffany Hudson (Sinead Curry) was Ryan’s wife and her murder is the focus of the pilot. Her MBTI would be INTJ or “Conceptual Planner.” Thanks to her wealth, she had a high position in society that allowed her to make sure that she got whatever she wanted.
In the scene before Tiffany is killed, she waits outside in the parking lot of The Claw while Nancy brings her some food. She’s super picky about everything, including the wine that she wants, and seemed like someone who would settle for nothing less than perfection. She fits the INFJ description: these types “define a compelling, long-range vision.” She was also “reserved” and “firm” and “efficient.”
Ace: ENTP
Alex Saxon’s Nancy Drew character, Ace, works with Nancy at The Claw as the dishwasher and chef, and he’s definitely an interesting character. He loves to eat the leftover food that customers haven’t eaten and is pretty funny, too.
His MBTI would be ENTP or “Enterprising Explorer.” He’s “curious” about everyone around him and seems like he’s always trying to get involved in everyone’s business. He’s also “resourceful” and “energetic” and “lively.” Maybe he can’t be trusted, as it’s unclear who is good and bad on this show, but he’s a great part of Nancy’s social circle.
Carson Drew: ESTP
Scott Wolf plays Carson Drew, Nancy’s father, who seems like he’s in a tough spot these days. As a criminal defense attorney, his MBTI would be ESTP or “Energetic Problem Solver.”
He’s “persuasive” and “analytical” which are definitely traits that you would need to have in this line of work. He’s also fairly “easygoing” which might be his character flaw. His biggest problem is that he and Nancy don’t get along anymore after their family tragedy, and hopefully, they’ll figure out how to talk to one another as the season progresses.
Bess Marvin: ISFP
Bess Marvin (Maddison Jaizani) is one of Nancy’s best friends in the classic Nancy Drew universe, but on the CW drama, she’s her coworker at the restaurant.
We don’t know a ton about her, other than the fact that she has a lot of money and she seems to be hiding something, which is true of most of the characters on this show. She seems like an ISFP or “Versatile Supporter” as she’s “reserved” and “modest.” She also seems really “observant” and like she would have some really interesting things to say, but she’s been pretty quiet so far.
Ned “Nick” Nickerson: ISFJ
Tunji Kasim’s Nancy Drew character, Nick, seems like an ISFJ or “Practical Helper.” He and Nancy have started dating, but things are already really complicated and strained between them since she realizes in the pilot that he has a criminal past.
ISFJs are “low-key” and “responsible” and “kind.” Those traits definitely describe Nick, who is doing his best to be honest and real with Nancy. He wants to be with her and he’s already reliable, showing up when he says that he will.
Nancy Drew: ESTJ
Nancy Drew (Kennedy McMann) is definitely an ESTJ or “Efficient Organizer.” If her town has a mystery, she’s going to figure it out. And it turns out that one of Horseshoe Bay’s most long-running mysteries (the death of Lucy) could be pretty close as home as she wonders if her mom and dad were involved.
ESTJs “drive themselves to reach their goal” which is totally Nancy, and they’re also “outspoken” and “forsee potential problems.” The CW’s Nancy is just as determined to find the truth as this classic character has always been, and it’s going to be really exciting to see how the character grows.
