North Texas actress Sarah Shahi to play Nancy Drew

That’s right, there’s going to be a Nancy Drew TV show and the network will dip into its deep talent pool and cast Sarah Shahi of Person of Interest to play the lead role.

“She is diverse, that is the way she is written”, the executive told a group of reporters.

Shahi joins a cast that includes Vanessa Ferlito (Graceland), as Nancy’s former NYPD partner; Anthony Edwards (ER) as Nancy’s father; and Felix Solis as Lt. Ford, an NYPD lieutenant bothered by Nancy’s confidence and smarts. Previously, Nancy Drew had been played on the big screen by Emma Roberts.

Shahi returned to Person of Interest on a full-time basis for the yet-to-be-scheduled Season 5, after taking a maternity leave. In 2002, ABC aired Nancy Drew as part of The Wonderful World of Disney, but the most well-known television version of the character was on The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, which ran from 1977 to 1979. Curiously, TVLine has learned that the actress’ deal puts Drew in first position ahead of a potential – yet extremely unlikely – sixth season of POI.

The drama, based on the popular book series, revolves around Nancy, now in her 30s and serving as a detective for the NYPD, where she investigates and solves crimes using her uncanny observational skills.

The network made headlines earlier this year when CBS Entertainment president Glenn Geller announced that the upcoming Nancy Drew reboot would not star a white actress in the title role. Shahi also played a recurring role on NBC’s Chicago Fire.