Live-Action ‘Scooby-Doo’ Series a Go at Netflix

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Scooby-Doo, where are you?

At Netflix.

A popular streamer has approved the production of a live-action version of the classic cartoon “Scooby-Doo,” featuring the iconic Great Dane character and his human detective companions. This upcoming series hails from Warner Bros. TV, with creators Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, as well as executive producer Greg Berlanti. The project has been in development for close to a year now.

Appelbaum and Rosenberg (from the show “Citadel” and “From”) will take on the roles of showrunners and executive producers, working under their banner Midnight Radio. Additionally, Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman from Berlanti Productions, as well as Andre Nemec and Jeff Pinkner from Midnight Radio, will also serve as executive producers. Berlanti’s company has an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television.

Appelbaum and Rosenberg (from Citadel and From) are the main writers and will oversee production for their production company, Midnight Radio. Other people from Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio are also involved as executive producers. Berlanti’s company already has a partnership with Warner Bros. Television.

The gang at Mystery, Inc. is back on the job! We’re thrilled to introduce Scooby-Doo in a live-action television series for the very first time. According to Peter Friedlander, vice president of scripted series at Netflix, the popular franchise has left an indelible mark on pop culture due to its enduring themes of friendship that have resonated with fans over generations. In partnership with Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio, we’re dedicated to bringing joy to longtime fans while also creating a fresh landscape for a new generation of detectives.

The beloved character Scooby-Doo was first introduced to audiences in 1969 through the initial episode of “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?” on CBS’s Saturday morning cartoon schedule, which was produced by Hanna-Barbera. Since then, Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, and Fred have appeared in over a dozen different series adaptations and numerous standalone animated films, as well as two live-action feature films from the early 2000s that starred Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Linda Cardellini as Velma, and Matthew Lillard as Shaggy.

A significant portion of the animated series “Scooby-Doo” is stored at Max, a company under the umbrella of Warner Bros. Discovery, which also owns WBTV and Hanna-Barbera.

The Netflix series will serve as a “contemporary retelling” of the original concept. According to the description, in their last summer at camp, long-time friends Shaggy and Daphne find themselves caught up in a chilling mystery involving a solitary lost Great Dane puppy that could have been a witness to a supernatural crime. Alongside the logical and methodical local resident, Velma, and the enigmatic yet charming newcomer, Freddy, they embark on an adventure to unravel this case that seems to drag each of them into a terrifying nightmare, one that could reveal their hidden truths.

One of my initial cherished roles in Hollywood was spending time with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera as they autographed animation cells,” Berlanti shared. “Josh, Scott, and the entire Midnight Radio team have skillfully created a narrative that embodies their vibrant personalities and ingenious work. We’re thankful to them, along with Warners and Netflix, for collaborating on this new take on Scooby-Doo.

As a fan myself, I can’t hide my excitement about joining forces with Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio to breathe life into the timeless Scooby-Doo franchise in a live-action series! It’s no wonder that these beloved characters have captivated audiences for over half a century. I can’t wait for a new crop of fans to unravel the mysteries with Mystery Inc. And I want to express my gratitude to Netflix for providing us this incredible opportunity.

Appelbaum and Rosenberg are represented by William Morris Endeavor (WME) and Sloane Offer. Midnight Radio, on the other hand, is represented by WME, Sloane Offer, and Ziffren Brittenham. Pinkner is also represented by WME and Ziffren Brittenham. Berlanti, however, is represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Felker Toczek.

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2025-03-26 21:24