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‘Nancy Drew’ Directors Discuss How Nace’s Love Evolved Over the Years on August 24, 2023 at 1:00 am Us Weekly
Kennedy McMann as Nancy Drew, Alex Saxon as Ace. Shane Harvey/The CW
Nancy Drew directors Larry Teng and Amanda Row have helped craft many of the show’s most iconic moments over the years — and that includes the culmination of Nancy and Ace’s love story.
During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly on Wednesday, August 23, Teng and Row celebrated the show’s legacy while reflecting on their individual journeys behind the camera. Row, who directed the series finale, was excited to wrap up the story while introducing Nancy (Kennedy McMann) and Ace’s [Alex Saxon] next chapter.
“There was tons of pressure — but I didn’t really feel burdened by it — because I knew that I had the fans’ and also Nancy and Ace’s best interest in mind,” she shared with Us. “What I wanted to do — and what Kennedy and Alex and I talked about in that scene — was that it was about relief and it was about joy. I know that all that anyone has ever wanted to see between the two of them is just enjoying each other and being happy with it and comfortable.”
Row noted that the couple’s final moments set the tone for their future together.
“That’s why there’s so much smiling and giggling. It’s that giddy, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m in love and I found [my person] kind of moment.’ That’s why my camera is still,” she explained. “The whole episode prior to that [moment] was shot on a crane. It was big sweeping moves and lots of score and then the camera slows down and it just becomes about these two characters. It was such a satisfying moment to shoot. Everybody on the crew cried and it was absolutely beautiful.”
Row also revealed that the original ending for Nancy and Ace was much longer. “I would love to release the six-minute last Ace and Nancy scene. I knew we didn’t have that much time for it, but my director’s cut is pretty fun,” she said.
The director offered Us a glimpse at what the full version looked like, adding, “I really was embracing the joy, and it was about laughter and about them being so giddy together. I had this moment [since] Alex is a professional dancer where he dipped Nancy in a romantic [way]. To me, it was kind of a nod to the drama of the series, but then it ended in this sincere little kiss and look at each other. It was too long and it just didn’t sit in the episode but I thought that was really nice.”
Nancy’s connection with Ace has been a central part of the show throughout the show’s four seasons. The fan-favorite pair faced ups and downs while trying to break Temperance’s death curse, which was keeping them apart during season 4. Their star-crossed love, however, wasn’t always the ultimate plan.
“I directed season 1 episode 14 when Nancy and Ace are in the library and they read that love letter from Ryan and Lucy to each other. I remember this so vividly,” Row said. “I remember Kennedy and Alex coming up to me with these mischievous grins on their faces saying, ‘I think that Nancy and Ace maybe have a thing. I feel like they have chemistry and this could be a really interesting thing to explore. In the moment, I remember looking at them and thinking, ‘Well, you guys have the same color eyes. Maybe there’s a twist later that you are siblings?’ So I had them read the love letter to each other and they were so right about their chemistry.
Colin Bentley/The CW
She continued: “Them just telling me was just really informing me [as a director]. I think we’ve got this thing. People latched onto it so strongly and the fact that the show has ended with their instinct I think is just so cool. It’s so awesome and is a testament to them as actors and understanding their audience.”
Teng praised the writers’ room for exploring a story that wasn’t initially on the page.
“The fans have always been a huge part of this show. And I remember [creator] Noga [Landau] saying at the end of season 3, ‘Let’s give them what they want,’” the co-executive producer told Us about how he directed Nancy and Ace’s dreamscape experience in the season 3 finale. “It was a really important moment that needed to feel real and grounded and connected between the two of them. … It was honestly not hard for them to pull off.”
According to Teng, McMann and Saxon’s hard work helped make the final product so much more memorable. “I just had to make sure I didn’t mess it up with what I was doing,” he joked. “But I think the tenderness and the sincerity behind it is what that relationship deserved. I got to portray them in some ways — in a future life if you will — in this very honeymoon phase of them coming together. I just wanted to make sure that it hit. I wanted to make sure that none of it felt false or insincere.”
He concluded: “[Nancy and Ace were] never endgame in the very early days. It was never even a thing. It’s that beautiful thing that comes out of creating a show and getting to 62 chapters of a story and all of a sudden it kind of takes you somewhere.”
During the series finale, Nancy and Ace broke their death curse after spending the entire season wondering if fate was keeping them apart or bringing them together. Row relied on parallels from the season 4 premiere — when Ace found out about the curse — to influence the direction for their emotional reunion.
“I directed season 4 episode 1 [which was] right after Larry’s [season 3 finale] episode. To me, the [focus] was on Ace’s part. It was like, ‘Is there something here?’ And in the last scene of season 4 episode 13, I actually did the exact same camera setups as I did for their scene in Icarus Hall in [the season 4 premiere],” Row detailed. “[I did it] intentionally to show that this was their second try, without all of the burden of information or whatever. [This was them] ultimately being courageous in that moment and growing from what they’ve been through, which was so satisfying to shoot.”
Teng said it was “beautiful poetry” to have him direct the series pilot while Row brought the series finale to life.
“It was my first pilot and it gave me the confidence to establish the look of a show. The way a show would be shot and the methods in which we would tell a story. It allowed me to build a culture on set that I was proud of,” Teng told Us. “It reinvigorated my resourcefulness and it reminded me why I made movies in the first place in college and high school. I’m just so grateful for the job that I have and the fact that I get paid to do this.”
Row, meanwhile, broke down how she evolved since joining Nancy Drew in 2019.
“It absolutely taught me that in television — regardless of what it is — you still have to be resourceful. For Nancy Drew, I think that has resonated over the four seasons. It’s always been character, it’s always been who our Drew Crew are and it 100 percent has influenced me as a director,” she noted. “There’s a lot of characters, but you have to kind of focus on who matters in this moment [and] what is going to resonate with people. The show 100 percent showed me and reminded me what the core of that is.”
Kennedy McMann as Nancy Drew and Alex Saxon as Ace in ‘Nancy Drew.’ Colin Bentley/The CW
Teng concluded the interview by offering a shout-out to the cast and crew.
“For a lot of these actors, this was people’s first show as a series regular. They bought into the system that we established and they bought into the culture that we wanted to create, Teng said. “We always abide by the fact that the only thing that matters is how we do it, not how anyone else does it. … It’s always been very much a crew first, family first mentality. I’m so proud of it and it proves to me that it works. You can create a situation and an environment like this — that’s healthy — where you can tell these stories and be safe and go home feeling fulfilled.”
Nancy Drew directors Larry Teng and Amanda Row have helped craft many of the show’s most iconic moments over the years — and that includes the culmination of Nancy and Ace’s love story. During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly on Wednesday, August 23, Teng and Row celebrated the show’s legacy while reflecting on their
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AfriqueFest: Pan-African Musical Experience — World Cup Edition is set to take over Noto Houston on Sunday, June 28, bringing together East, South, and West African sounds in one immersive celebration of music, culture, and connection. Presented by Experience Noir and Bolanle Media, the event is designed as a cinematic night for the culture, blending global energy with Houston nightlife in a way that feels elevated, intentional, and deeply rooted in African creativity.
Spotlight on DJ Shinski
At the heart of this year’s experience is DJ Shinski. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and now based in Houston, DJ Shinski has built an international name off high-energy sets that move effortlessly across Afrobeats, Amapiano, hip‑hop, dancehall, reggae, and electronic sounds.
He has also become Africa’s most‑subscribed DJ on YouTube, crossing the 2‑million‑subscriber mark and turning his mixes into a global destination for music lovers.
DJ Shinski’s style is precise but unpredictable: one moment it’s classic Afrobeats, the next it’s East African anthems, then a run of throwback hip‑hop or R&B that still feels fresh. That ability to read a room and connect multiple worlds in a single set is exactly why AfriqueFest is building so much of the night’s energy around him.
At AfriqueFest, DJ Shinski helps drive the Safari Grooves segment, representing East and Central Africa from 4 PM to 6 PM. Expect a journey that moves from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Addis, and beyond, all filtered through his signature “vibes on vibes” approach behind the decks.
DJ Tunez and the rest of the night
Supporting that energy, DJ Tunez leads the Gold Coast Beats chapter from 8 PM to 10 PM, bringing his own Nigerian‑American Afrobeats pedigree to the stage. Together with the Diamond Rhythms segment (South) and a curated roster of DJs, the night stretches across the continent in three distinct musical chapters, all connected by a single dance floor.
Hosted by @chris_gone_crazy, @kingdrewwskyy, @roselynomaka, and @samsnewleaf, AfriqueFest is positioned as more than a party—it’s a celebration of sound, style, and Pan‑African identity in Houston, with DJ Shinski anchoring the experience from the moment doors open.
Brought to you by Bolanle Media & Experience Noir
Brought to you by Bolanle Media and Experience Noir, this World Cup edition of AfriqueFest is crafted as a night where global DJs, storytellers, and music lovers collide and create a shared cultural memory. With DJ Shinski front and center—and DJ Tunez helping close the night—guests can expect a show that reflects both the future of African nightlife and the power of the diaspora to create unforgettable live moments.
If you want to experience DJ Shinski live at AfriqueFest, now is the time to lock in your spot. Purchase your tickets now at AfriqueFest.com and get ready for a night of music, movement, and culture at Noto Houston.
Laughter Meets Inspiration: Our Ladies Show Lands on The Roku Channel
A bold new sketch comedy series for women premieres June 13 across the U.S., U.K., and Canada — arriving on the back of a festival-winning run that has critics and audiences already paying attention.
It isn’t every day a brand-new comedy arrives already wearing a row of trophies. Our Ladies Show does. The seven-episode inspirational sketch comedy series — created, written by, and starring Christin Jezak — begins streaming on The Roku Channel on Friday, June 13, 2026, available free to viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Produced in partnership with global media services leader Encompass Digital Media, the series sets out to do something rare in today’s streaming landscape: make women laugh out loud and leave them lifted. In a media moment crowded with noise and cynicism, Our Ladies Show is a deliberate counterweight — comedy with a conscience, built for women of every age and background.
A Show Built Around Real Life — and Real Laughs
Each of the seven episodes opens with a monologue from one of the cast members introducing the theme, then rolls into three or more sketches that hit the subject from every comedic angle. The series tackles the things women actually carry: holding grudges, comparison, beauty, patience, gift giving, the importance of community, and dealing with anxiety.
The comedy comes from a place of warmth rather than mockery — a “laugh at ourselves” spirit that runs through a gallery of unforgettable characters: a nosey neighbor, an overwhelmed mom, relentlessly optimistic flight attendants, beauty pageant winners past their prime, and a crew of unruly campers with a counselor who simply cannot hold it together.
Then the show does something most sketch series don’t. In the final segment of every episode, the cast gathers in a living-room setting and invites the audience in — sharing real inspiration drawn from the theme, the sketches, and their own personal stories. It’s the moment the laughter turns into something that stays with you.
The Women Behind the Show
Our Ladies Show brings together three performers with serious range:
- Christin Jezak — creator, writer, and star (Miracle at Manchester, Raising Hope, Jimmy Kimmel Live!)
- Hillary Hawkins — (Primal, Nick Jr.’s Play Along, Gullah Gullah Island)
- Sarah Hernandez — (Nefarious, Unplanned, House of Payne)
“In a world with so much division and depression, I hope women of all ages and backgrounds will watch this show, laugh, be reminded of how beautiful, unique, and loved they are, and remember how much we need each other.”— Christin Jezak, Creator & Star
Already a Festival Favorite
The series’ recurring long-form sketch, Neighborhood Watch, didn’t arrive quietly. Originally released as a web series and revamped for Our Ladies Show with new footage, sound, and music, it has been sweeping the festival circuit:
- 🏆 Best Webseries — 2026 New Media Film Festival (Los Angeles)
- 🏆 Best Web/TV Series — Paris Film Awards
- 🏆 Best Web Series — Dallas Movie Awards
- 🏅 Additional wins at the London Movie Awards, Florence Film Awards, and Hollywood Gold Awards
- 🎬 Official Selection — 2026 Harvard Divinity School Film Fest
- ⭐ Finalist — Houston Comedy Film Festival
- 📣 Three nominations — 2025 Content Christian Media Conference, including Best Actress in a TV and Web Series nods for both Christin Jezak and Sarah Hernandez
Where and When to Watch
Our Ladies Show premieres Friday, June 13, 2026, streaming on The Roku Channel — the home of premium and free entertainment — in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. All seven episodes deliver the series’ signature blend of sharp sketch comedy and genuine encouragement.
Watch the trailer now on your platform of choice:
For more information, visit www.ourladiesshow.com and follow @ourladiesshow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
About Christin Jezak
Christin Jezak has worked for over 15 years in the entertainment industry. She created and stars in Our Ladies Show and the award-winning web series Neighborhood Watch. She produced the EWTN TV program For the Sake of the Gospel and the all-women web series Ladies Keepin’ It Real, played Dr. Sam in Miracle at Manchester (starring Dean Cain, Daniel Roebuck, and Eddie McClintock), and voices Agnes in the podcast Confessions of a Catholic Single. She held a lead role in a short film for NTT Data directed by Academy Award–winning cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, has co-starred on Raising Hope, and appeared in Jimmy Kimmel sketches and a Grubhub Super Bowl commercial.
About The Roku Channel
Roku pioneered streaming on TV and is the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico by hours streamed (Hypothesis Group, Dec. 2025). The Roku Channel is the home of premium and free entertainment, alongside Roku’s Howdy and Frndly TV services. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, California.
About Encompass Digital Media
Encompass Digital Media is a global managed services company — technology-driven, software-defined, and people-powered. Trusted by world-leading broadcasters, networks, sports rights-holders, and OTT platforms, it processes over 25,000 hours of content daily, serves 850 channels to 84 countries, distributes over 243,000 live events annually, and reaches 400 million radio listeners weekly worldwide. Learn more at www.encompass.tv.
Media & Interview Requests: To interview creator Christin Jezak or the cast, contact Christin at cjezak@p2ptheatre.com.
Most of the talk about Euphoria asks one question: was it realistic? That’s the wrong question if you make films. The better one is simpler. How did Sam Levinson get an audience to feel addiction from the inside? And what did it cost him to end the show the way he did?
Strip away the noise and Euphoria is a clinic in three choices: point of view, style, and the ending. Here’s what’s worth taking — and what isn’t.
1. Put the Camera Inside the Character
Most shows about drugs watch from across the room. Euphoria doesn’t. When Rue is high, the camera is high too. Walls breathe. Floors tilt. Time skips. You’re not watching her — you’re stuck inside her head.
That’s the lesson: point of view is a decision you make with the camera and the cut, not a mood you add later in color. Levinson builds it into the lens, the blocking, and the edit.
So before you shoot a scene through a character’s eyes, ask one thing on set: whose eyes is this lens standing in for? Then make every cut respect that.
2. Your Style Has to Mean Something
The glitter. The slow push-ins. The impossible club lighting. Euphoria‘s look got copied everywhere. That’s the trap.
The style worked because it carried weight. The beauty wasn’t decoration — it was the lie addiction tells you, the reason the next high looks worth it. The camera made self-destruction gorgeous on purpose.
The copies missed that. A thousand music videos took the look and left the meaning behind, and you can feel how hollow they are. So here’s the test: if your signature style could be swapped onto any other project and still “work,” it’s not a style. It’s a filter. Every choice should have a reason behind it.
3. The Ending Tells the Audience What It All Meant
When Euphoria ended for good in Season 3, Levinson killed Rue — an accidental, fentanyl-laced overdose. He called it “the honest ending,” saying he wanted to tell a true story about addiction and grief in a time when one mistake can be the last one. Reportedly, that wasn’t the original plan; the death of Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, changed the script.
Forget whether you agree with the choice. Study how it works. An ending is the last instruction you give your audience about how to read everything before it.
By ending on consequence instead of recovery, Levinson reframed seven years of beautiful chaos as a story about cost — not a celebration of it.
It’s also the show’s most debatable move, and that’s worth noticing too. A show that spent years making pain look beautiful had to fight to make that pain land as loss. Did it earn the ending, or enjoy the wreckage too long to stick it? Smart filmmakers will disagree — and that argument is exactly what a good ending is supposed to start.
What Not to Take
The neon grief is the most copied part. It’s also the least useful. Take the surface — the colors, the slow-mo, the trauma-as-texture — and you get the costume without the body.
The real craft is underneath. Commit your camera to a real point of view. Make every stylistic choice earn its place. Treat your ending as the point of the whole thing. Do that, and your work won’t look like Euphoria. It’ll do what Euphoria did.
This piece touches on addiction and substance use. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
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