Netflix unveils cast for live-action Scooby-Doo series, introduces real Great Dane as Scooby for first time

Netflix has officially announced the principal cast for its highly anticipated live-action series "Scooby-Doo: Origins," offering fans a fresh look at how the beloved mystery-solving gang first came together. The show is currently being filmed in Atlanta and is expected to debut worldwide in 2027.

One of the biggest surprises is that Scooby-Doo will be portrayed by an actual Great Dane, marking the first time in the franchise's history that the iconic canine will be brought to life this way in a major live-action production.

The coming-of-age mystery follows the final summer camp adventure of longtime friends Shaggy and Daphne. Their lives take an unexpected turn when they stumble upon a lost Great Dane puppy linked to a disturbing mystery. As strange events unfold, they join forces with Velma and Freddy to uncover the truth behind a case that may involve supernatural forces.


The core Mystery Inc. team will be played by a new generation of actors. Tanner Hagen stars as Norville "Shaggy" Rogers, Mckenna Grace takes on the role of Daphne Blake, Abby Ryder Fortson plays Velma Dinkley, and Maxwell Jenkins portrays Fred Jones. Actor Paul Walter Hauser has also joined the cast in a recurring role, though details about his character remain under wraps.

Netflix has also assembled an extensive supporting cast that includes Rusty Schwimmer, Peter Macon, Maxwell Simkins, Jona Xiao, Dani Deetté, Elysée Sanvillé, Alex Isles, Avery Kristen Pohl, Pamela Mitchell, Ross Kimball, Sara Gilbert, Wynn Everett, Sauriyan Sapkota, Bruce McGill and Sherilyn Fenn.

According to the show's synopsis, the mystery surrounding the abandoned Great Dane puppy drags the four teenagers into a chilling investigation that threatens to reveal long-buried secrets. The series is being positioned as a modern reimagining of the classic Hanna-Barbera franchise, blending supernatural suspense with themes of friendship, teamwork and self-discovery.

Meanwhile, Matthew Lillard, who famously portrayed Shaggy in the early 2000s live-action films, welcomed the franchise's return. Lillard said he was pleased to see the Scooby-Doo universe coming back to screens and expressed hope that the new adaptation would preserve the spirit that made the original so popular.

The actor highlighted the franchise's longstanding focus on friendship, mystery-solving and teamwork, saying those themes remain at the heart of what makes Scooby-Doo resonate with generations of fans.

With production underway and a global launch planned for 2027, "Scooby-Doo: Origins" is shaping up to be one of Netflix's most ambitious family-oriented genre projects in recent years.