Netflix Is Making a Live-Action Scooby-Doo Origin Series. Here’s What We Know So Far.
A beloved cartoon dog and his mystery-solving friends are heading to Netflix — not as another animated reboot, but as a live-action origin series. The streaming service announced the project in March 2025, and while much remains unknown, early details about the plot, creative team and casting have already grabbed fans’ attention.
The Setup: Summer Camp, a Lost Puppy and a Supernatural Murder
According to the show’s description, the series follows “old friends Shaggy and Daphne team up at summer camp with scientific townie Velma and the strange but handsome Fred to solve the mystery of a lonely lost Great Dane puppy — who may have witnessed a supernatural murder.”
The summer camp setting suggests a coming-of-age tone. And the description makes clear that not everyone in the group knows each other from the start: Shaggy and Daphne are “old friends,” while Velma and Fred appear to be new acquaintances they meet along the way.
The Great Dane puppy at the center of the mystery is, of course, Scooby-Doo himself. As an origin story, the series seems designed to show how the gang first came together and found the dog who would become their most famous companion. True to the franchise’s roots, there’s a mystery to solve — this time involving what may be a “supernatural murder.”
Netflix described the show as a “modern reimagining” based on the iconic characters originally created by Hanna-Barbera. The franchise has seen animated series, films and previous live-action adaptations over the decades, but this project is being positioned as something different: a look at the very beginning of Mystery Inc.
Who’s Behind the Camera
The series has assembled a deep bench of executive producers. Scott Rosenberg and Josh Appelbaum are executive producing, alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Leigh London Redman, who are producing via Berlanti Productions. André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner are also executive producing through their banner, Midnight Radio. The project stems from Berlanti Productions’ overall deal with Warner Bros. Television.
Berlanti shared a personal connection to the material in comments to Netflix’s Tudum: “One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cels. Josh and Scott and everyone at Midnight Radio have crafted a story that captures their amazing spirits and their genius creation. We are grateful to them and everyone at Warner and Netflix for the partnership in helping bring this iteration of Scooby-Doo to life!”
His mention of sitting with Hanna-Barbera co-founders Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera early in his career speaks to a long personal history with the franchise.
McKenna Grace is Daphne
The first major casting news: McKenna Grace will play Daphne. Grace shared the news on Instagram on Feb. 17, posting a screenshot of a Deadline article alongside a childhood photo of herself dressed as Daphne.
“Oh my jeepers,” Grace wrote. “I can’t believe life is real I could cry all over again just looking at this announcement. So thankful, SO excited.”
The role is a full-circle moment for Grace, who previously voiced young Daphne in the 2020 animated film Scoob! Her childhood photo in a Daphne costume suggests the character has been special to her for much of her life.
Grace is one of the busiest young performers working today. She most recently appeared in Regretting You”and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. She is also set to appear in Scream 7 and The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, in which she will play the role of Maysilee Donner.
Shaggy, Velma and Fred Are Still Up for Grabs
While Grace’s casting as Daphne has been confirmed, the other three core human members of Mystery Inc. — Shaggy, Velma and Fred — have not yet been announced. These are roles that will draw significant attention whenever they are revealed. Each character carries decades of cultural recognition, and fans will have strong opinions about who should bring them to life.
No Premiere Date Has Been Set
There is no word yet on when the show will premiere. With casting still underway for major roles, the series is in its earlier stages of production.
Production of this article included the use of AI. It was reviewed and edited by a team of content specialists.
