Meet the New Daphne Joining the Live Action Scooby Doo Reboot

Mckenna Grace has officially secured the first lead role in the highly anticipated live-action Scooby-Doo series currently in development at Netflix. Sources indicate that the 19-year-old actress will step into the stylish shoes of Daphne Blake for the eight-episode inaugural season.

The project, which comes from Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, was the subject of a high-stakes bidding war last year before landing a premium commitment at the streaming giant.

The upcoming series is being penned by Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, who previously collaborated on the Cowboy Bebop adaptation. Rather than following the established Mystery Inc. adventures, this iteration serves as a grounded origin story.

It focuses on the specific events that brought the iconic group together to investigate the very first case that defined their legendary partnership. The narrative is set during the group’s final summer at camp, where old friends Shaggy and Daphne find themselves pulled into a dark mystery.

The central conflict involves a lonely, lost Great Dane puppy that may have witnessed a supernatural murder. As the stakes rise, they join forces with a pragmatic local named Velma and the handsome new arrival, Freddy, to navigate a creepy nightmare that threatens to reveal their deepest secrets.

Appelbaum and Rosenberg are set to serve as showrunners, executive producing alongside André Nemec and Jeff Pinkner under the Midnight Radio banner. Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter are also attached to executive produce through their long-standing deal with Warner Bros. Television. While Grace is the first confirmed cast member, the production is expected to announce the remaining members of the teenage sleuth team in the coming months.

For Grace, this role marks a significant return to the franchise, though in a new medium. She previously provided the voice for a younger version of Daphne in the 2020 animated feature Scoob!, making this live-action transition a full-circle moment for the young star.

She was most recently seen in the Paramount romantic drama Regretting You, an adaptation of the Colleen Hoover novel, where she starred alongside Allison Williams. The film, which hit theaters in late 2025, further showcased her range as she moved away from her established roots in the horror and sci-fi genres.

Looking toward the rest of the year, Grace’s schedule is packed with high-profile releases that are sure to keep her at the forefront of the industry. She is set to appear in Scream 7, where she will take on the role of Hannah Thurman in the latest installment of the legendary slasher franchise.

Additionally, fans are eagerly awaiting her performance in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the prequel film bowing this November, where she portrays the pivotal character Maysilee Donner. With over 70 credits to her name before the age of 20, Grace has transitioned seamlessly from a sought-after child actress to a leading Hollywood powerhouse.

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