SP
BravenNow
‘Scooby-Doo’ Live-Action Netflix Series Casts Casts Maxwell Jenkins as Fred, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma, Tanner Hagen as Shaggy
| USA | culture | ✓ Verified - variety.com

‘Scooby-Doo’ Live-Action Netflix Series Casts Casts Maxwell Jenkins as Fred, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma, Tanner Hagen as Shaggy

#Scooby-Doo #Netflix #live-action #Maxwell Jenkins #Abby Ryder Fortson #Tanner Hagen #casting

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Netflix is developing a live-action 'Scooby-Doo' series.
  • Maxwell Jenkins has been cast as Fred Jones.
  • Abby Ryder Fortson has been cast as Velma Dinkley.
  • Tanner Hagen has been cast as Norville 'Shaggy' Rogers.

📖 Full Retelling

Break out the giant sandwiches! The live-action “Scooby-Doo” series at Netflix has found its Mystery Inc. gang. Variety has learned that Maxwell Jenkins will play group leader Fred Jones alongside Tanner Hagen as Norville “Shaggy” Rogers and Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma Dinkley. They will appear with previously announced cast member Mckenna Grace, who is […]

🏷️ Themes

Entertainment, Casting

📚 Related People & Topics

Netflix

Netflix

American video streaming service

# Netflix **Netflix** is an American subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) over-the-top streaming service. It serves as the primary distribution platform for both original and acquired content, including feature films, television series, documentaries, and specials across a vast array of genres and i...

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗
Maxwell Jenkins

Maxwell Jenkins

American actor (born 2005)

Maxwell Jenkins (born May 3, 2005) is an American actor and musician, who is known for his roles in Lost in Space, A Family Man, Sense8, Dear Edward, and Arcadian. In 2020, he played the role of Joseph Bell in the true story of Joe Bell, starring Mark Wahlberg and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. ...

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗
Abby Ryder Fortson

Abby Ryder Fortson

American actress (born 2008)

Abby Ryder Fortson (born March 14, 2008) is an American actress. She played Ella Novak in Transparent, Harper Weil in The Whispers, Sophie Pierson in Togetherness, Cassie Lang in Ant-Man (2015) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), and Margaret Simon in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

View Profile → Wikipedia ↗

Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Netflix:

🌐 Paramount 12 shared
👤 Donald Trump 9 shared
👤 Susan Rice 8 shared
🏢 Paramount Skydance 8 shared
🏢 Warner Bros. Discovery 7 shared
View full profile

Mentioned Entities

Netflix

Netflix

American video streaming service

Maxwell Jenkins

Maxwell Jenkins

American actor (born 2005)

Abby Ryder Fortson

Abby Ryder Fortson

American actress (born 2008)

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This casting announcement matters because it represents Netflix's latest attempt to revive a beloved 50+ year franchise for modern audiences, potentially introducing Mystery Inc. to a new generation. It affects fans of the original series who have strong attachments to previous portrayals, the streaming platform's subscriber base seeking nostalgic content, and the young actors whose careers could be significantly elevated by these iconic roles. The success or failure of this adaptation will influence future decisions about rebooting other classic animated properties for live-action streaming series.

Context & Background

  • Scooby-Doo first debuted in 1969 with 'Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!' and has remained continuously in production through various animated series, films, and iterations for over 50 years
  • Previous live-action adaptations include two theatrical films in 2002 and 2004 starring Freddie Prinze Jr. (Fred), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Daphne), Matthew Lillard (Shaggy), and Linda Cardellini (Velma), plus a 2022 HBO Max film with different casting
  • Netflix has been aggressively developing live-action adaptations of animated properties including 'Avatar: The Last Airbender,' 'One Piece,' and 'The Cuphead Show,' with mixed critical and audience reception
  • The original voice cast featured Don Messick as Scooby-Doo and Frank Welker as Fred Jones, with Welker continuing to voice Fred in animated projects to this day, holding a Guinness World Record for longest career as a voice actor

What Happens Next

Production will likely begin in the coming months with a target 2025 release date on Netflix. Additional casting announcements for Daphne Blake and Scooby-Doo (likely CGI or animatronic) are expected soon. First look images or teaser footage may emerge within 6-9 months, followed by marketing campaigns targeting both nostalgic adult viewers and younger audiences unfamiliar with the original series. The series' reception will determine whether Netflix orders additional seasons or spin-offs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the actors playing these roles and what are they known for?

Maxwell Jenkins is known for 'Lost in Space' and 'Sense8,' Abby Ryder Fortson gained recognition as young Cassie Lang in 'Ant-Man' films, and Tanner Hagen is a relatively new actor with limited previous credits, making this a potential breakout role.

How will Scooby-Doo be portrayed in the live-action series?

While not confirmed, Scooby-Doo will likely be created through CGI similar to recent adaptations, though practical effects or a combination may be used. The production approach will significantly impact the series' tone and audience reception.

Will this series follow the original animated show's format?

Details remain limited, but it will likely adapt the classic mystery-solving format with modern storytelling techniques. Expect episodic mysteries with possible serialized elements common to contemporary streaming series.

How have fans reacted to previous live-action Scooby-Doo adaptations?

The 2002-2004 films developed a cult following despite mixed initial reviews, while the 2022 HBO Max film received more polarized reactions. Each adaptation faces scrutiny for balancing nostalgia with fresh approaches to the material.

What challenges do live-action adaptations of animated classics face?

They must satisfy nostalgic fans while appealing to new viewers, translate cartoon logic to believable live-action, and justify their existence beyond mere brand recognition. Casting choices often become early flashpoints for fan reactions.

}
Original Source
Mar 18, 2026 11:30am PT ‘Scooby-Doo’ Live-Action Netflix Series Casts Casts Maxwell Jenkins as Fred, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma, Tanner Hagen as Shaggy By Joe Otterson Plus Icon Joe Otterson TV Reporter joeotterson Latest ‘Life Is Strange’ TV Series Taps Karyn Kusama to Direct First Two Episodes 2 hours ago NBC Drama Pilot ‘What the Dead Know’ Casts Lorenza Izzo 23 hours ago ‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Hudson Williams Among Six to Recur in Netflix FTX Series ‘The Altruists’ 24 hours ago See All Break out the giant sandwiches! The live-action “ Scooby-Doo ” series at Netflix has found its Mystery Inc. gang. Variety has learned that Maxwell Jenkins will play group leader Fred Jones alongside Tanner Hagen as Norville “Shaggy” Rogers and Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma Dinkley. They will appear with previously announced cast member Mckenna Grace, who is set for the role of Daphne . Netflix picked up the untitled “Scooby-Doo” series for eight episodes in March 2025. The official logline describes it as a modern reimagining of the popular cartoon show. Popular on Variety Related Stories Zach Galifianakis to Host Netflix Show About Gardening
Read full article at source

Source

variety.com

More from USA

News from Other Countries

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

🇺🇦 Ukraine