We now know the premise of Netflix’s upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo show. The upcoming series will be an origin story of sorts, as it details how the gang teamed up and the first haunting mystery that started it all. There will be eight episodes in the series, which is being described as a “modern reimagining.”
“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,” a logline for the series reads. “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 live-action Scooby-Doo series comes from mega-producer Greg Berlanti. The executive producer has been behind beloved TV adaptations and reimaginings like “Riverdale,” “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” and The CW’s Arrowverse. It will be showrun by Josh Appelbaum (“Life on Mars,” “Citadel” and “From”) as well as Scott Rosenberg (“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Jumanji: The Next Level” and “Venom”). Appelbaum and Rosenberg will also write the series and executive produce it through their company Midnight Radio.
“Mystery, Inc. is back in business! We’re excited to bring Scooby-Doo to TV as a live-action series for the first time. The beloved franchise has had an impact on pop culture that is undeniable — it’s rich with universal themes of friendship that generations of fans have long embraced,” Peter Friedlander, Vice President of Scripted Series for Netflix, said in a statement to press. “Together with creative powerhouses Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio, we’re committed to delighting longtime fans and opening up a world of groovy adventures for a new era of meddling kids.”
“One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cells,” Berlanti said. “Josh and Scott and everyone at Midnight Radio have crafted a story that captures their amazing spirits and their genius creation. We are grateful to them and everyone at Warners and Netflix for the partnership in helping bring this iteration of Scooby-Doo to life!”
“It’s no mystery why audiences continue to love these iconic characters after more than a half century. We’re excited for a new generation to discover Mystery Inc. And we’re grateful to our partners at Netflix for the opportunity,” Clancy Collins White, President of Creative Affairs for Warner Bros. Television, said.
In addition to Appelbaum, Rosenberg and Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Leigh London Redman will executive produce via Berlanti Productions and its overall deal with Warner Bros. Television. André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner will executive produce via Midnight Radio. Scooby-Doo is based on characters created by Hanna-Barbera and is produced by Warner Bros. Television. Appelbaum and Rosenberg are repped by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Midnight Radio is repped by WME; Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern; and Ziffren Brittenham. Pinkner is repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham
This continues a trend of Netflix building franchises around beloved fan-favorite characters. “Wednesday” is currently the streamer’s most-popular English-language TV series, and adaptations of both “One Piece” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender” were well watched.
