Netflix has ordered a new take on the classic cartoon ‘Scooby-Doo‘, as the streamer commissions a live-action series from Midnight Radio, Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television.
Created in 1969 by writers Joe Ruby and Ken Spears, the original iconic cartoon follows teens Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, Shaggy Rogers, and their Great Dane, Scooby-Doo, as they solve mysteries involving supposedly supernatural events, travelling the country in their van, the “Mystery Machine”.
This new origin story of how “Mystery Inc.” got together begins during old friends Shaggy and Daphne’s final summer at camp. The pair get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder. 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 currently untitled series is written by Midnight Radio’s Josh Appelbaum (‘Zoo’, ‘Citadel’, ‘Alias’) & Scott Rosenberg (‘Jumanji’ – 2017/2019 versions’, ‘Zoo’, ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’), based on characters created by Hanna-Barbera, The pair will serve as showrunner and exec produce alongside André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner (Midnight Radio), with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Leigh London Redman (Berlanti Productions). Warner Bros. Television is the studio.
“Mystery, Inc. is back in business! We’re excited to bring Scooby-Doo to TV as a live-action series for the first time,” said Peter Friedlander, VP, Scripted Series, Netflix. “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. 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.”
Many of the people involved with the show have a history with Netflix. Appelbaum, Rosenberg and Midnight Radio were producers of ‘Cowboy Bebop’, although they weren’t writers on that… ahem… less than well-received… adaptation. Berlanti Productions is responsible for the hugely popular Netflix drama ‘You’, the supernatural comic book adaptation ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’, and most recently, the adaptation of DC Comics’s series ‘Dead Boy Detectives‘. Berlanti Productions are also the people behind all the DC/CW superhero shows.
“One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cells,” said Greg Berlanti. “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!”
This isn’t the first time ‘Scooby-Doo’ has been done in live-action. Two films were released in 2002 and 2004, penned by now DC Studios head, James Gunn, starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini as the gang.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with our longstanding partners at Berlanti Productions and with Midnight Radio to bring the legendary Scooby-Doo franchise to a live-action series for the first time,” adds Clancy Collins White, President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Television: “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.”
The currently untitled live-action ‘Scooby-Doo‘ series does not yet have a premiere date, but will air on Netflix worldwide. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can also add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
