Tian Richards on Why He’s So Proud of ‘Tom Swift’ [Interview]

The CW’s latest drama series Tom Swift already has people excited. 

A spinoff of Nancy Drew, the series follows the character of Tom Swift (Tian Richards), a wealthy inventor whose world is shaken after the shocking disappearance of his father.

We recently caught up with Tian Richards, who plays the role of Tom Swift, on the red carpet during the ATX Television Festival to discuss his role on the show and why he’s so proud to be a part of it. (You can watch the full video below.)

Richards began by saying he was proud of “the barriers we’re breaking in representation, and how we get to show up in a very human and celebrated way.”

“It’s not about being tolerated, but being celebrated. It’s not about being preachy or beating anyone over the head with a message, but showing up, telling human stories, being ourselves, having fun. And I just love that aspect of being carefree, being Black, being queer, without carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders,” Richard said.

Watch the full interview with Tian Richards:

Richards also shared why the role is such a fun one for him to be able to play. He said the most fun part is “getting to say the most outlandish things that you could never get away with in real life, because he says it from such an honest place, it works and it lands.” 

He added that the fashion and the tech also made it fun.

“Because as well as Tom being fabulous, rich, heir to his throne, he’s also a genius, and deeply intelligent and incredibly intellectual. So to tap into the tech brain, and STEM, I love that. That you can be fabulous but you can also be a genius. I love that duality.”

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Tom Swift airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

*Additional reporting by Cade Taylor.

Check out all of our coverage of the ATX Television Festival right here. There is still more to come!

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