The latest episode of Stephen King may offer a glimpse at the show's future. Starring Kennedy McMann as the titular detective, the series offered a markedly aged-up take on the literary adventures. With Nancy now 19 years old, this manifested in a variety of ways. As well as having Nancy engaged in more complex, grown-up relationship dynamics, the show's mysteries often had a much darker edge. Throughout Nancy Drew season 1, alongside serial killers and child abductions, things even ventured fully into the realm of supernatural horror.
These elements were principally depicted via Dead Lucy. Originally named Lucy Sable, the tragic teen directly haunted several residents of Horseshoe Bay. The addition of the supernatural proved controversial for some. It often negated the need for Nancy to actually detect — with Lucy merely guiding Nancy to the answers she needed. However, Dead Lucy also served as a literal representation of "the ghosts of the past" that hung over the town. Rather than those elements fading with the solving of Lucy's death (and those connected to it), though, the show shifted the other way. Instead, it went even deeper into supernatural lore and creepy entities. That fact was directly paid off by the mother of Ned "Nick" Nickerson (Tunji Kasim). Arriving in town, Nancy Drew season 2, episode 2, "The Reunion of Lost Souls" saw Millie (Jeryl Prescott) state, "Stephen King is right; Maine is filled with terrifying ghosts."
On the surface, the line was two-fold a meta piece of dialogue. Firstly, it served as a testament to The CW's Nancy Drew having very little in common with the source material. In truth, it's much more in keeping with a range of King's literary offerings. That's especially true going into Nancy Drew season 2. Since the latter stages of the first season, the Drew Crew have been locked in battle with the Aglaeca. The mysterious wish-granting sea spirit has thus far tormented them with horrifying portents and visions of their own deaths. Though the Aglaeca was mentioned as being of human origin, it shares more than a little in common with IT: Chapter One. Equally, it has shared the same ability to manipulate its target's perception of reality — making them see what it wants them to see.
Another element of Pennywise also cropped up in Nancy Drew season 2, episode 1, "The Search for the Midnight Wraith". Investigating a new case, Nancy and her friends faced off with the Gorham Wraith. During the encounter, it was established that the wraith was drawn by and actively fed on people's fears. Millie's line about King was also meta in the sense that, while his works are entirely fictional in the real world, they may all be based on elements of truth in Nancy Drew's. After all, Nancy even experienced the kinds of alternate realities that several characters have within King's works. The majority of King's releases are often set in and around Maine, where Nancy Drew is also based. As such, the way has already been paved for some interesting directions in Nancy Drew season 2 and beyond.
Whatever one's view of Nancy Drew's supernatural elements, the writers have made it clear that they are here to stay. In fact, given that Nancy Drew season 2 will be a touch more episodic, allowing for more casual viewing, they likely will be even more prevalent. As such, fans can probably expect more creatures like the Gorham Wraith, the Aglaeca, and the child-sacrificing "Simon" to emerge. Not to mention a whole host of more ghosts. And when it comes to what rituals and horrors to expect, King's novels are likely more foretelling than those of Nancy Drew. Equally, like Stephen King himself, the show might also include elements of Maine lore, such as The White Lady of Brownville Road or the Kiwakwa — mixing and matching elements of both through its own Nancy Drew lens.