The wait is finally over for fans wondering who would step into the shoes of the beloved Mystery Inc. crew. Netflix has officially locked in the complete cast for its upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo series, and the four young actors chosen to play Daphne, Shaggy, Velma, and Fred are already winning over skeptics online. The streaming giant made the announcement on March 18, confirming the names that had been rumored for weeks and putting an end to widespread speculation about who would bring these iconic characters to life for a new generation.
Leading the pack is Mckenna Grace as Daphne Blake, a role she previously voiced in the 2020 animated film Scoob!. She is joined by Tanner Hagen as Norville “Shaggy” Rogers, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma Dinkley, and Maxwell Jenkins as Fred Jones. The series, which received a straight-to-order commitment of eight episodes back in March 2025, comes from a powerhouse production team including Josh Appelbaum, Scott Rosenberg, and Greg Berlanti. With the cast now complete, attention turns to how this modern reimagining will honor the legacy of a cartoon that has been a staple of television since 1969.
Who Is Playing Your Favorite Character
Netflix has assembled a group of rising stars who, despite their young ages, already boast impressive resumes that span film and television. The casting choices reflect a deliberate effort to find actors who not only resemble the classic characters but also possess the comedic timing and dramatic chops needed for a series that blends mystery with heartfelt coming-of-age storytelling.
Mckenna Grace as Daphne Blake was the first piece of the puzzle to be revealed back in February, and her casting has been met with overwhelming approval. Grace is no stranger to stepping into iconic roles, having portrayed younger versions of characters in projects like Captain Marvel, The Haunting of Hill House, and I, Tonya. During an Oscars red carpet interview, Grace could barely contain her excitement, letting out a scream when asked about the part. “I’m so excited! I am so excited,” she told reporters. “I love Daphne. I dressed up as her for two or three Halloweens. I’m obsessed with Daphne. She is my favourite character.” She later shared on her Instagram Stories, “JEEPERSSSS I’m so excited. The start of the mystery gang.”
Tanner Hagen as Shaggy Rogers takes on the role of the perpetually hungry, easily frightened heart of the group. Known for his work in the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt and the Paramount+ series Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Hagen brings a mix of dramatic depth and physical comedy potential to the part. He expressed his gratitude on Instagram, writing, “ZOINKS! Like… is this even life? So incredibly grateful to be stepping into the shoes of the iconic Shaggy Rogers in the upcoming Netflix live-action series! Thank you to everyone who has helped me get here. See you soon gang!”
Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma Dinkley is set to play the brainy and pragmatic member of the team. Fortson is best known for her roles as Cassie Lang in the Ant-Man movies and the title character in the critically acclaimed film Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. She also recently appeared in the first season of The Pitt, showcasing her range across different genres.
Maxwell Jenkins as Fred Jones will portray the confident and handsome leader of the group. Jenkins grew up on screens as Will Robinson in Netflix’s own Lost in Space reboot, which ran for three seasons. He has since appeared in Reacher and Dear Edward, building a portfolio that proves he can handle both action and emotional moments. In an Instagram post, Jenkins shared that he is “so grateful for the opportunity.”
What Is the Show Actually About
This is not going to be a simple remake of the classic cartoons. Instead, Netflix is framing the series as an origin story. Titled an untitled project for now, the show will explore how these four very different teenagers first crossed paths and formed the mystery-solving team that audiences have loved for decades.
The official logline from Netflix paints a picture that feels like a mix of summer camp nostalgia and genuine suspense. It reads: “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.”
Yes, the Great Dane puppy mentioned is, of course, a young Scooby-Doo. The series will show how the gang meets their iconic canine companion, who is described as a stray puppy that may hold the key to a supernatural crime. This sets the stage for a story that balances the spooky atmosphere fans expect with the emotional bonds of friendship forming during a pivotal summer.
Fans React to the Casting News
As soon as the full cast was announced, social media lit up with reactions. While some fans immediately noticed one glaring omission—namely, who is playing the dog—the consensus around the human cast has been overwhelmingly positive.
Many pointed out how perfectly the actors match the physical appearances of the animated characters. One fan wrote, “No way… you guys actually brought the characters to life .. I’m shocked.” Another added, “That’s a strong line-up. Feels like they’ve gone for a younger, fresh cast, could bring a new vibe to Scooby-Doo if they get the chemistry right.”
A particularly enthusiastic viewer shared a detailed take online, saying, “Okay but can we talk about how this Scooby-Doo cast is actually perfect? Mckenna Grace is basically born to play Daphne Blake and Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma is a 10/10 choice. People are already complaining but this looks way better than that HBO Velma disaster we all try to forget. If Netflix sticks to the ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins’ vibe and keeps it spooky like Stranger Things this could be the best reboot in years.”
Of course, the biggest question on everyone’s mind was about the dog himself. Fans flooded the comments asking, “Who’s playing Scooby?” and “Where is the dog?” Netflix has yet to announce how Scooby-Doo will be brought to life, whether through CGI, animation, or a mix of both, but given the mention of a Great Dane puppy in the synopsis, more details on that front are expected soon.
Who Is Behind the Cameras
The creative team attached to this project brings serious credentials. Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, known for their work on Hulu’s High Fidelity and MGM+’s From, are serving as writers and showrunners. They are executive producing alongside André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner under their Midnight Radio banner.
Greg Berlanti, one of the most prolific producers in television with hits like Riverdale, You, and the various DC superhero shows, is also on board via Berlanti Productions, alongside Sarah Schechter and Leigh London Redman. Toby Haynes, who directed the first episode of the Star Wars series Andor, will direct the first episode of this series and also serve as an executive producer. Warner Bros. Television is the studio behind the project.
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A Look Back at Live-Action Scooby-Doo
This is not the first time the characters have been translated into live-action. The 2002 film Scooby-Doo, starring Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, and Linda Cardellini as Velma, was a massive box office success, grossing over $250 million worldwide. It was followed by a 2004 sequel, Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed, which also performed well financially. There were also two live-action TV movies released in 2009 and 2010 that took a different approach to the origin story.
The new Netflix series marks a return to the live-action format after more than a decade, but with a fresh, younger cast and a focus on the characters’ teenage years. It also serves as a course correction for fans still bitter about the recent Velma animated series on HBO Max, which reimagined the character in a way that divided audiences. The positive early reaction to this cast suggests that Netflix is aiming for something much closer to the heart of what made the original cartoons so beloved.
While a release date has not yet been announced, production is expected to begin soon. With the mystery of the cast now solved, the next big reveal will likely be how Scooby-Doo himself looks in this new live-action world.
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