Netflix’s Live-Action ‘Scooby-Doo’ Cast Gets a Casual New Look Ahead of 2027
Mystery Inc. has taken on countless forms over the decades, from Saturday morning cartoons to big-screen comedies, but a full live-action take on the gang has remained something fans have wanted for years without ever quite getting the version they imagined. Netflix’s answer to that long-standing wish is now taking shape, and a new candid photo is giving fans their clearest look yet at the group dynamic behind the scenes.
The streamer’s upcoming series has been quietly assembling one of the more interesting young casts in recent memory, blending performers with serious dramatic credentials alongside newer faces stepping into iconic roles. That mix is starting to feel more real now that the cast has been spotted together outside of official promotional material.
A new look at the live-action ‘Scooby-Doo’ cast is releasing on Netflix in 2027, with the series formally titled ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins.’ The eight-episode show reimagines the mystery-solving teens and their canine companion, following Shaggy and Daphne during their final summer at camp as they stumble onto a Great Dane puppy tied to a supernatural murder.
New look at the live-action Scooby-Doo cast
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Releasing on Netflix in 2027 pic.twitter.com/JQSWna8DkF
Maxwell Jenkins takes on the role of Fred Jones, bringing a background that includes acrobatic training from Chicago’s Midnight Circus alongside acting credits in ‘Sense8,’ ‘Lost in Space,’ and ‘Reacher.’ McKenna Grace steps into the role of Daphne Blake, arriving with an already substantial resume that includes an Emmy nomination for ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and film credits like ‘Gifted,’ ‘I, Tonya,’ and the recent ‘Ghostbusters’ films.
Abby Ryder Fortson plays Velma Dinkley, having previously portrayed Cassie Lang across Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man’ films before leading the adaptation of Judy Blume’s ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ Rounding out the core four is Tanner Hagen as Shaggy Rogers, a newer face to the industry whose credits include HBO’s ‘The Pitt’ alongside several film projects set for release this year.
Perhaps the most notable creative choice behind the series is its decision to cast an actual Great Dane as Scooby-Doo rather than relying on CGI or a costumed performer, marking the character’s first fully live-action portrayal. Frank Welker, the longtime voice of Scooby across decades of animated projects, returns to voice the character for this new iteration.
That blend of a physical animal performer paired with Welker’s familiar voice work gives the production a grounded quality that departs from the more stylized approach of earlier Scooby adaptations. It’s a choice that seems designed to lean into the show’s mystery-camp setting rather than the broader comedic tone of past films.
Beyond the core four, the series has assembled a deep supporting bench that includes André Benjamin, Cathy Moriarty, Sara Gilbert, Paul Walter Hauser, and Bruce McGill, among others. Hauser is reportedly set to play Scooby’s original owner, adding an emotional throughline connecting the puppy’s backstory to the mystery the teens uncover.
That combination of established character actors alongside its younger leads suggests Netflix is aiming for a show that balances nostalgia-driven fan service with genuine dramatic weight. Production on the series wrapped after filming began in Georgia earlier this year.
The series’ central premise leans into a coming-of-age angle not typically associated with Scooby-Doo adaptations, framing the investigation around Shaggy and Daphne’s final summer together before the gang fully comes together. That structure gives the show room to explore character relationships before folding in Velma and Fred as the mystery deepens.
With a supernatural murder investigation as its hook and a real dog anchoring its title character, ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins’ looks to be aiming for something more grounded than fans might expect from the franchise’s history. The series is set to premiere on Netflix in 2027, though a specific release date has not yet been announced.
‘Scooby-Doo’ has proven remarkably durable across generations, shifting formats from Saturday morning cartoons to theatrical comedies to countless animated spin-offs without ever fully losing its core appeal. A live-action series represents yet another evolution for a franchise that has rarely stayed in one lane for very long.
Fans have reacted to previous cast announcements with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, a common response whenever a beloved animated property makes the jump to live action. Whether this particular combination of young talent and a real dog in the title role wins over longtime viewers will likely become clearer once the first trailer arrives.
How excited are you for Scooby-Doo: Origins?
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