Netflix commissions a live-action origin series for Scooby-Doo.

      The Scooby-Doo franchise will soon have a new live-action adaptation, as Deadline reports that Netflix has ordered eight episodes for a new origin series featuring the Mystery, Inc. team.

      Originally announced as being in development last year, the series comes from Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg of Midnight Radio (Cowboy Bebop), who will be the showrunners. Greg Berlanti (Riverdale) will serve as producer. It is described as "an origin story of how the Mystery Inc. group came together and first teamed up to solve the haunting case that started it all."

      The series' logline states: "During their last summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne become involved in a haunting mystery concerning a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that might have witnessed a supernatural murder. Joined by the practical and scientific town local, Velma, and the quirky yet charming new kid, Freddy, they embark on a quest to uncover the mystery, which pulls each of them into a spooky nightmare that threatens to reveal their secrets."

      “Mystery, Inc. is back in action! We are thrilled to bring Scooby-Doo to television as a live-action series for the first time,” said Peter Friedlander, Netflix's VP of Scripted Series. “This beloved franchise has left an undeniable mark on pop culture, rich with universal themes of friendship that have resonated with generations of fans. Alongside the creative talents of Berlanti Productions and Midnight Radio, we are dedicated to delighting long-time fans and introducing a new generation of meddling kids to their groovy adventures.”

      Greg Berlanti of Berlanti Productions added, “One of my earliest and favorite roles in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera as they signed animation cells. Josh, Scott, and the entire team at Midnight Radio have created a story that embodies their remarkable spirits and creative genius. We appreciate them and everyone at Warners and Netflix for collaborating to make this version of Scooby-Doo a reality!”

      This upcoming series will represent the latest live-action adaptation of the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon, following the 2002 and 2004 feature films Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, as well as the 2009 and 2010 TV movies Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins and Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster, along with the 2018 direct-to-video film Daphne & Velma.

      Regarding Gary Collinson, he is a film, television, and digital content producer and writer, who founded the pop culture website Flickering Myth. He has produced the gothic horror feature film 'The Baby in the Basket' and the upcoming suspense thriller 'Death Among the Pines.' He has also spent a decade teaching and lecturing on film and media and is the author of the non-fiction book 'Holy Franchise, Batman! Bringing the Caped Crusader to the Screen.'