McKenna Grace has been announced as the first cast member of Netflix’s upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo series — and she’s stepping into the role of Daphne Blake.
The 19-year-old actress is no stranger to the franchise. She previously voiced young Daphne in the 2020 animated film Scoob. This new series marks a live-action return to the beloved character.
According to Variety, the eight-episode series is set during one final summer at camp. The official description reads:
“During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne (Grace) 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 project reimagines the iconic group in a coming-of-age setting, leaning into emotional stakes alongside the mystery.
Grace’s casting feels strategic. With a résumé that spans horror (The Haunting of Hill House), superhero films (Captain Marvel), and comedy (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), she has built a reputation as one of her generation’s most versatile young performers.
The animated Scoob cast included Iain Armitage as Shaggy, Pierce Gagnon as Fred, and Ariana Greenblatt as Velma. As of now, Netflix has not confirmed whether any of those actors will reprise their roles in live-action form.
The franchise has seen multiple reinventions over decades — from Saturday morning cartoons to early-2000s theatrical releases. Each iteration reshapes the gang slightly for a new audience.
With Grace’s casting announcement, Netflix signals that this version aims to balance nostalgia with contemporary tone.
