Scooby-Doo: Origins is coming to Netflix in 2027, and its release will mark the start of an exciting new era for the beloved franchise. When the franchise launched in 1959, it was in the form of an animated show from Hanna-Barbera. The decades that followed saw the characters of Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma appear in spinoffs, specials, and movies, including two live-action films written by James Gunn.
While TV shows within the Scooby-Doo franchise have aired across several networks over the years, the IP fully entered its streaming era in the early 2020s. HBO Max debuted its mature take on the characters with Velma in 2023, though it didn’t even feature the Scooby-Doo character despite running two seasons. In partnership with Warner Bros., Scooby-Doo will expand its streaming presence in 2027 with the upcoming live-action prequel, Scooby-Doo: Origins.
Scooby-Doo: Origins‘ cast includes Tanner Hagens (Shaggy), Maxwell Jenkins (Fred), Mckenna Grace (Daphne), and Abby Ryder Fortson (Velma) in what will be the first live-action TV show for the franchise. The new era of the franchise will also feature a real dog playing Scooby-Doo, an adorable puppy, to be exact, which is a bigger deal than some might think.
Netflix’s Prequel Will Make Franchise History With Its Scooby-Doo Character
Now in production, Netflix has teased the upcoming Scooby-Doo: Origins series with a first look at the Great Dane puppy set to portray the iconic Scooby-Doo character. Netflix has also provided a teaser showing the curious pup in his signature teal collar sniffing around the woods until he gets picked up by his future best friend, Shaggy. Aside from being the first live-action show from the franchise after nearly 60 years, Scooby-Doo: Origins will be the first time Scooby-Doo is played by a real dog.
For much of the character’s existence, Scooby-Doo was animated. James Gunn’s Scooby-Doo movies embraced a live-action cast for its human characters, but when it came to Scooby, the character was created using CGI. Seeing as the show will feature supernatural elements linked to the Netflix show’s central mysteries, there will likely be some CGI involved, but it won’t be necessary for bringing the titular character to life like past iterations.
Scooby-Doo: Origins’ Live-Action Dog Decision Is Already An Intriguing Change For The Netflix Show
Though some reports suggest that Frank Welker will once again voice the talking dog, Netflix hasn’t confirmed whether Scooby-Doo will speak in the upcoming prequel story. Based on the teaser, Scooby can only be heard barking, so it’s very possible this new era of the franchise is fully embracing the “real dog” aspect, setting itself apart from all the franchise entries that have come before.
Even if Scooby-Doo is portrayed as a young innocent pup in the show, he will still have a key role in the story. As the title suggests, Scooby-Doo: Origins will be a prequel, detailing how the Mystery Inc. was formed. When a lost puppy witnesses a supernatural murder, four teens at a summer camp – Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma – come together to investigate as their own secrets hang in the balance.
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The show will certainly feature some twists and turns along the way, and possibly some surprises surrounding Scooby-Doo. For now, Netflix has found a fun way to ramp up excitement for Scooby-Doo: Origins ahead of its 2027 release. Including a dog into a show’s character list is one thing, but incorporating a puppy that cute takes the level of excitement for Netflix’s prequel to a new level.
If Scooby-Doo: Origins does have a long future on Netflix, it will be interesting to see how the show tackles its timeline. The initial mystery set in the summer allows the show to keep Scooby a puppy. More seasons, however, will need to go beyond the puppy stage. It’s not the first time a project in the franchise is highlighting younger versions of the characters, but it’s the first time doing so with a live-action cast and a real dog. Still, Scooby-Doo: Origins could find intriguing ways to embrace the unique take on the character using a fully grown Great Dane, even if he never ends up talking.