Nancy Drew is a brilliant teen detective. That’s how they’ve marketed her for years, so we have no choice but to love her.
The CW’s version, portrayed by Kennedy McMann, is a modern-take on the character who is driven and determined, yet impressively aware of her flaws and imperfections. She owns them like a badge while going after what she wants wholeheartedly and using her particular set of skills to solve mysteries — both human and supernatural in nature — along the way.
Since Nancy carries the series, it’s hard not to paint her as the best of the best.
But we’re lucky that in The CW version of the series, the Drew Crew has no shortage of incredible characters in addition to Nancy.
However, there’s no denying that one character stands out amongst the others for being equally as developed… and that’s Ace (played by Alex Saxon).
Puppy dog eyes aside (don’t you just want to give him a hug), Ace started off as a one-dimensional character that was around for quick laugh, but he quickly evolved into the heart of the series thanks to a plethora of great qualities, including serving as the backbone of the Scooby squad.
We’re breaking down some of the other reasons that we love Ace below:
Nancy Drew — “The Demon of Piper Beach” — Image Number: NCD304a_0251r.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Alex Saxon as Ace and Leah Lewis as George — Photo: Jeff Weddell/The CW — © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
He’s Always There for His Friends
Ace’s theme song should be Toy Story’s “You Got a Friend In Me” because Ace is the teddy bear you can call up whenever you’re having a bad day and need a hug, a piece of advice, or a reality check.
There has never been a time where Ace left a friend in need. Whenever anyone from the Drew Crew needs him, Ace is right there to offer assistance and support. He’s provided a shoulder to cry on for Nick, he assisted Nancy no matter how dangerous the situation, and he’s even been a “get out of a bad date” call for Bess. Ace is there when you need him most, whether you know it or not.
He Never Turned His Back on Carson Drew
Speaking of friends and being there for them… Ace has an unmatched level of loyalty. When the whole town painted Carson Drew as the villain, Ace made it a point to visit him and make sure he was okay. Throughout the seasons, he’s always had Carson’s back even when it would’e been easier to side with Nancy and let him be. It’s yet another point that re-affirms that Ace is “ride or die” friend.
Credit: The CW/ Nancy Drew
He Does the Right Thing No Matter How Difficult It Is
Ace has really great judgment, especially in social situations. He tried to befriend Bertram Bobbsey simply because he believed that everybody deserves a second chance and because he wanted to do right by his girlfriend, Amanda Bobbsey. But the minute he realized something sketchy was going on, he took a step back. And when Carson informed him that they needed to find Bertram otherwise he would go down as an accomplice for a crime, he followed Amanda and ensured that her father was put away behind bars where he couldn’t hurt anyone else (including Amanda) again. While it was a difficult decision on his part, Amanda made it clear that her priority was her father, and Ace knew that he had to do the right thing no matter how much it hurt her or ended their relationship.
His Advice
Part of what makes Ace such a great friend is that he’s able to foresee everyone’s needs often before they even know what they need themselves. This allows him to dish out incredible advice (see reason #1) that makes him appear wise beyond his years.
Nancy Drew — “The Legend of the Murder Hotel” — Image Number: NCD207a_0520r.jpg — Pictured: Aadila Dosani as Amanda Bobbsey and Alex Saxon as Ace — Photo: Colin Bentley/The CW — © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
He’s a Hard Worker
When he’s not assisting Nancy and the crew with solving supernatural mysteries, he’s putting in the hours at the Claw. For a little, it seemed as though he was the only employee who actually worked any kind of shift at all.
He Knows How To Be Vulnerable
Not only is he vulnerable, but he is empathetic and intuitive, which are all very desirable characteristics for a man that’s in-tune with himself and his feelings. He’s a genuinely good human, and that genuineness trickles down to everyone he comes in contact with. His most vulnerable was hunting down his step-brother and getting to know him while also protecting his father’s secret and his mother from being hurt by the truth.
Nancy Drew — “The Mark of the Poisoner’s Pearl” — Image Number: NCD110a_0114b.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Anthony Natale as Thom and Alex Saxon as Ace — Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW — © 2020 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
His Relationship with His Dad Is One to Be Admired
Despite a few hiccups here and there, Ace has a pretty sweet relationship with his father. He’s a caring son that always prioritizes his father’s needs. Plus, it’s awesome to see ASL portrayed on television and naturally weaved into a storyline.
He’s An Accomplished Hacker
Mr. Robot doesn’t have anything on Ace. He’s been able to assist in many supernatural mysteries simply by being the tech-guru that can crack any code and decipher any message. His skills have come in handy on many occasions! Unfortunately, most recently, they also got him caught up in a pretty uncanny situation — a parallel universe!
QUIZ: Which ‘Nancy Drew’ Character Are You?
His Stroke of Comedic Genius
Ace has some of the best one-liners, and he delivers them without missing a beat, usually in the most serious and significant situations. The unexpected nature of his commentary typically catches everyone off-guard, which also allows for some really hilarious reactions that Ace is usually oblivious to. The only other person who rivals Ace with this witty quips and comedic-timing is Bess, but we have enough room in our hearts to stan them both.
He Doesn’t Take Himself Too Seriously
With everything that’s going on around him and almost dying on several accounts, Ace is incredibly chill. It’s impressive that he can manage to keep things so low-key and zen when the ghostly spirits have set their sights on Horseshoe Bay, and usually, him and his friends. See the previous point about being trapped in a parallel universe, which would be cause for concern for anyone.
He Has Pretty Eyes
This one is pretty self-explanatory… and it leads into…
The Love Interest
Of course, there’s no denying that Ace is beloved by many because he’s a love interest for Nancy. While she’s had her fair share of romances throughout the seasons, Ace is a constant in her life. He loves her for her wins and her flaws, he’s her biggest supporter, and as time progresses, Nancy has come to realize just how much she values Ace’s presence in her life. While many argue that they have a great friendship dynamic that shouldn’t be messed with, their romance is a slow burn. Admittedly, that’s working wonders for the show as it is keeping audiences on their toes and will make the moment so much better when they do finally give into those feelings that have been bubbling up riiiiight under the surface. Both Nancy and Ace haven’t had luck in the romance department, so maybe they’ll both finally find someone that’s worthy of their love and affection.
What’s your favorite thing about Ace on Nancy Drew?
Is he your favorite character? If not, who is? Share your thoughts in the comments below!