Netflix has officially given a series order to a live-action Scooby-Doo characters — Shaggy, Daphne, Velma, and Fred — have been selected).

Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg serve as the co-showrunners of the Netflix live-action Scooby-Doo series.

Given the popularity of the Scooby-Doo live-action movies, it's easy to be skeptical of the show. Nevertheless, I believe it has promise, thanks to two factors. Firstly, Greg Berlanti is one of the executive producers on the live-action Scooby-Doo series since his company, Berlanti Productions, is attached. Berlanti has worked on various noteworthy TV shows over the years. His credits include Dawson's Creek, Everwood, Riverdale, You, the Arrowverse on The CW, All American, and many more. With Berlanti (a dominant TV producer/director/writer) overseeing the Netflix series, it's evidently in good hands. Its story concept also bodes well for the show's success.

Netflix's Scooby-Doo Show Will Depict Shaggy & Daphne As Old Friends

The Live-Action Series Tells The Popular IP's Origin Story

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the live-action Scooby-Doo TV show takes viewers back to the start. As a "modern reimagining" of the popular franchise, the Netflix series will shockingly begin with Shaggy and Daphne having a close friendship. The live-action Scooby-Doo show's premise reads:

"During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne 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."

Whereas many other depictions of Scooby-Doo kick off with Mystery Inc. already in the thick of their friendship, the Netflix show tells the gang's origin story. However, it takes place in the modern day and features some new details concerning the group's dynamics, including Shaggy and Daphne's established connection. The premise alludes to the fact that Shaggy and Daphne have been attending summer camp together for a long time, which is undoubtedly the most compelling detail about the plot of Netflix's live-action adaptation of Scooby-Doo​​​ because their relationship strays from the norm.

The Scooby-Doo Movies & TV Shows Never Explored Shaggy & Daphne's Dynamic

Most Media Focuses On Shaggy & Scooby's Friendship Or Daphne & Fred's Romance

Even though there have been many iterations of Scooby-Doo and the main characters of Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, and Fred over the years, they have never truly developed Shaggy and Daphne's relationship. Everyone knows that Shaggy and Scooby are tight and that Daphne and Fred have crushes on each other. Some TV shows and movies have also explored Daphne and Velma's dynamic or Fred and Velma's. However, Shaggy and Daphne's friendship is one that the Scooby-Doo franchise hasn't thoroughly explored (until now).

Since Shaggy and Daphne are opposites, their dynamic is quite intriguing compared to other pairings in the Scooby Gang. Based on other Scooby-Doo TV series and films, some may compare Shaggy and Daphne to the stoner and popular girl relationship trope (whether platonic or romantic). They might not be exactly like Bender and Claire in The Breakfast Club, but Shaggy and Daphne are similar, depending on how a show or movie portrays their characters. As a result, their connection has a lot of potential. The Netflix live-action Scooby-Doo series starting with Shaggy and Daphne as old friends makes it much more exciting than before.

Netflix's Scooby-Doo Trying Something New With The Mystery Gang Is A Good First Sign

The Show Can't Be Derivative

Not many Scooby-Doo TV series or films depict how the gang became friends or how they got involved in the mystery-solving business. So, in that regard, the live-action series is already separating itself from the crowd. Plus, the Netflix show ensures it's as unique as possible by beginning with Shaggy and Daphne having a long-standing friendship before meeting Scooby, Velma, or Fred. The worst thing the live-action Scooby-Doo series' story can do is be easily comparable to other projects that came before it.

Greg Berlanti and co. are guaranteeing that their series can stand out without straying too far from what made everyone fall in love with Mystery Inc. in the first place.

Based on all this information (which is still limited), Netflix's future live-action Scooby-Doo TV show has a lot of promise. Some might roll their eyes at the development of yet another reboot. However, Greg Berlanti and co. are guaranteeing that their series can stand out without straying too far from what made everyone fall in love with Mystery Inc. in the first place. For all these reasons (specifically the promise of Shaggy and Daphne's established friendship), the Scooby-Doo show is doing everything right so far.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter