Mckenna Grace is bringing her lifelong love for Daphne Blake to the live-action Netflix Scooby-Doo series, and she simply cannot contain her excitement. The 19-year-old actor, who officially landed the iconic role in February 2026, finally broke her silence in a major way during a recent red carpet appearance that has left fans even more eager for the eight-episode show.
Grace, known for her roles in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and The Handmaid’s Tale, is set to lead the Netflix series as a young Daphne. The show will explore how the Mystery Inc. gang first came together during a fateful summer at camp. With the project generating serious buzz, Grace’s latest comments reveal just how personal this role truly is for her.
Mckenna Grace Screams Her Way Through Oscars Red Carpet Interview
The excitement was impossible to miss when Mckenna Grace stepped onto the Oscars red carpet in March 2026. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor was asked about taking on the role of Daphne Blake, and her reaction was pure, unfiltered joy. According to reports, Grace literally screamed when the question came up, immediately gushing about how she feels playing the character.
“I’m so excited! I am so excited,” Grace said, barely containing her enthusiasm.
But she did not stop there. Grace opened up about her deep, personal connection to the character, revealing that this casting is something she has literally been dreaming of since childhood.
“I love Daphne. I dressed up as her for two or three Halloweens. I’m obsessed with Daphne. She is my favourite character,” she admitted.
She added, “I’m so beyond. I’m estatic. I’m just going to rewatch every Scooby-Doo movie and series ever now.” This comment gave fans a clear look into her preparation process, showing that she plans to dive deep into the character’s history to get her portrayal just right.
From Halloween Costumes to Netflix Casting
For Mckenna Grace, playing Daphne is not just another acting job. The actor has a documented history with the character, having dressed up as Daphne for Halloween multiple times over the years. A photo of a young Grace dressed in Daphne’s iconic pink scarf and purple dress recently resurfaced, which she shared with fans when the casting news was first announced in February.
Her Instagram post at the time perfectly captured her overwhelming emotions. She wrote, “Oh my jeepers… I can’t believe life is real I could cry all over again just looking at this announcement. So thankful, SO excited.” The post included a crying emoji and a purple heart, colors famously associated with Daphne.
Fans were quick to notice that this casting felt like destiny. In 2024, Grace had posted Halloween photos of herself dressed as Daphne. In the comments section of her recent announcement, her Five Nights At Freddy’s 2 co-star August Maturo pointed out, “your ability to manifest needs to be studied.” Some fans even went back to that 2024 post and asked, “Did you know you were gonna be Daphne during this????”
This will not be Grace’s first time stepping into Daphne’s shoes. She previously voiced a young Daphne in the 2020 animated film Scoob!. She was also attached to reprise the voice role in the prequel film Scoob! Holiday Haunt, but that project was unfortunately scrapped by Warner Bros. Discovery as part of cost-cutting measures, even though it was nearly complete. Now, she gets a second chance to bring the character to life, this time in live-action.
What to Expect From Netflix Live-Action Scooby-Doo Series
Netflix first announced the eight-episode live-action series back in March 2025, describing it as a modern reimagining of the beloved cartoon franchise. The show promises to take fans back to the very beginning, showing how Shaggy, Daphne, Velma, Fred, and of course, Scooby-Doo, first crossed paths.
The official logline for the series paints a picture that is equal parts nostalgic and spooky:
“During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder.”
“Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma, and the strange, but ever so handsome new kid, Freddy, they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets.”
The show is being written and run by Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, who are also executive producing alongside André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner under their Midnight Radio banner. Adding to the heavyweight creative team, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman are executive producing via Berlanti Productions, with Warner Bros. Television producing.
Who Will Play Shaggy, Velma, and Fred?
While Mckenna Grace is officially on board as Daphne, Netflix has yet to announce who will round out the rest of the Mystery Inc. gang. Fans have been actively speculating about who will take on the roles of Shaggy, Velma, and Fred.
During the Oscars red carpet, Grace was accompanied by her boyfriend, actor Mason Thames (known for The Black Phone and the upcoming live-action How to Train Your Dragon). His presence immediately sparked fan theories that he might be playing Shaggy. However, Thames quickly shut down those rumors, confirming to reporters that he is not involved in the project.
For now, the identities of the remaining cast members remain a mystery, but with production heating up, an announcement is likely expected soon.
A Legacy of Live-Action Scooby-Doo
This new Netflix series is not the first time Scooby-Doo has been adapted into live-action. Many millennials and Gen Z fans grew up with the early 2000s films starring Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, and Linda Cardellini as Velma.
The first Scooby-Doo movie, released in 2002, was a massive commercial success, grossing over $250 million worldwide. Its sequel, Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed, followed in 2004 and earned over $180 million. There were also two live-action TV films, Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (2009) and its sequel Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (2010), which introduced a younger cast.
Now, with Mckenna Grace leading the charge, a new generation is about to meet the gang in a way they have never seen before.
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Mckenna Grace Busy Schedule Beyond Scooby-Doo
Mckenna Grace’s career is currently on fire. In addition to leading the Netflix Scooby-Doo series, she has several other high-profile projects in the works. She is set to appear in the highly anticipated Scream 7 and has also joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping as Maysilee Donner. She recently starred in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 and the drama Regretting You.
Her filmography already includes critically acclaimed performances in Gifted, I, Tonya, and Captain Marvel, as well as a starring role in the Ghostbusters sequels. On the small screen, she earned an Emmy nomination in 2021 for her guest role in The Handmaid’s Tale.
With her track record and genuine passion for Daphne, Mckenna Grace is shaping up to be the perfect choice to lead Netflix’s reimagining of this classic franchise. As she dives into rewatching every Scooby-Doo movie and series ever made, fans are eagerly waiting to see what she and the creative team have in store when the series eventually drops on Netflix.
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