Scooby Dooby Doo, where are you? We got some work to do now! This just in: Netflix has officially ordered a live-action Scooby-Doo series, and we couldn't be more excited! Back in April 2024, the show was reportedly said to be in development at Netflix. Now, the streaming giant has given the green light to move forward with production, and the first season will consist of eight episodes.
This won't be the first live-action Scooby-Doo adaptation to hit the screen. The most well-known is the 2002 film Scooby-Doo, starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini, with Neil Fanning providing Scooby's voice. This was followed up by a live-action sequel in 2004, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, which saw the return of the original cast.
Then, you had the live-action TV films Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009) and Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (2010) and the live-action direct-to-video film Daphne & Velma (2018). With Netflix's upcoming series, this marks the sixth live-action adaptation of the beloved mystery-solving gang. It will also be the first-ever live-action Scooby-Doo series.
Warner Bros. Television is set to produce the show, with Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg signed on as writers and showrunners. They will also executive produce alongside André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner via their Midnight Radio banner. In addition, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman will serve as executive producers through Berlanti Productions.
Described as a modern reimagining of the iconic Warner Bros. animated series, the Scooby-Doo live-action Netflix show will reportedly be something like an origin series. In other words, it will explore how the Mystery Inc. gang first came together, delving into the early days of Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, and Fred as they embark on their first case. No actors have been cast yet, but with the series officially moving forward, casting announcements are expected soon.
It's longtime friends Shaggy and Daphne's final summer at camp, and they find themselves caught up in a chilling mystery involving a lonely Great Dane puppy who may have witnessed a supernatural murder. Teaming up with Velma, a practical and logical townie, and Freddy, the charming new kid, they embark on a quest to crack the case. But as they dig deeper, the investigation pulls them into a terrifying nightmare—one that threatens to reveal their deepest secrets. This is what the Scooby-Doo live-action series will be about.
Peter Friedlander, vice president of scripted series for Netflix, expressed his excitement about the ordering of the series in a statement provided by Variety.
"Mystery, Inc. is back in business! We’re excited to bring Scooby-Doo to TV as a live-action series for the first time. The beloved franchise has had an impact on pop culture that is undeniable — it’s rich with universal themes of friendship that generations of fans have long embraced. Together with creative powerhouses Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio, we’re committed to delighting longtime fans and opening up a world of groovy adventures for a new era of meddling kids.”
As new details emerge about this exciting Scooby-Doo live-action series, we'll be sure to return to share everything we learned. But for now, you must stay tuned to 1428 Elm!