Netflix is gearing up to bring a fresh twist to a beloved classic, officially ordering an eight-episode live-action Scooby-Doo series—the franchise’s first foray into live-action television. Announced today, the project promises to reintroduce Mystery Inc. to a new generation while tapping into the nostalgia that has kept the Hanna-Barbera creation alive for over five decades.
The series, a collaboration between Netflix and Warner Bros. Television, is spearheaded by showrunners Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg of Midnight Radio, with executive producers Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman of Berlanti Productions joining André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner from Midnight Radio. This powerhouse team brings a wealth of experience, with credits ranging from Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop to Berlanti’s expansive TV empire, including Riverdale and the Arrowverse.
Set during the gang’s final summer at Camp Ruby-Spears, the story kicks off with Shaggy and Daphne, longtime pals, stumbling upon a lost Great Dane puppy that may hold the key to a chilling supernatural murder. They’re soon joined by Velma, a sharp-minded local with a scientific bent, and Freddy, a charismatic newcomer, as the mystery deepens into a “creepy nightmare” threatening to unravel their personal secrets. This origin tale aims to explore how the iconic quartet—and their four-legged sleuth—first came together, blending the franchise’s signature mystery-solving with a darker, more contemporary edge.
Berlanti, whose career kicked off with a Hanna-Barbera internship, called the project a “full-circle moment,” reflecting on the joy of revisiting these characters. Peter Friedlander, Netflix’s VP of scripted series, echoed that sentiment, praising Scooby-Doo’s enduring themes of friendship and adventure as a perfect fit for the streamer’s growing slate of live-action adaptations. Following the success of One Piece and Avatar: The Last Airbender, this series marks another bold step in Netflix’s strategy to reimagine animated classics for live audiences.
Details remain scarce on how Scooby-Doo himself will be brought to life—whether through cutting-edge CGI or another creative solution—but the stakes are high to get it right for fans who’ve followed the talking pup since 1969. The camp setting and supernatural leanings suggest a tone that could bridge the gap between the franchise’s lighthearted roots and the grittier reimaginings seen in projects like Max’s Velma.
No premiere date has been set, but with production now underway, anticipation is building for this groovy reinvention. As Netflix continues to expand its Scooby-Doo catalog—currently home to titles like Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (though its departure looms)—this live-action venture could solidify the streamer as the go-to hub for the meddling kids and their canine companion.
Stay tuned to Trevor Decker News for updates as this mystery unfolds.
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