Remakes and reboots are pretty common occurrences in the film and TV industry today. However, no matter if you are trying to recreate a beloved classic or make something completely new and fresh, every movie-lover thrives on a bit of nostalgia. One of the biggest franchises in cartoon and live-action history has to be Scooby-Doo. We all remember the Scooby-Doo franchise as a band of mystery-solving group of friends, the Mystery Machine, and a charming talking dog. Well, time to gear up for a new version of a childhood favorite.
The animated show Velma, created by and starring comedian Mindy Kaling, is taking on this challenge head-on. The show is an attempt to make a more adult show for the audience that grew up watching this show years ago and will be a sort of origin story for the beloved character. Although met with some controversy surrounding the decision to not include Scooby in this show, we are all teeming with curiosity about what could come from it as well as the creative choices in the casting and plot. The show is set to release its first season on HBO Max in 2023. In the meantime, let’s get to know some of the cast of HBO Max’s Velma.
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Mindy Kaling as Velma
Hulu
The iconic role of Velma has been played and voiced many times in the past. However, in this new series, Mindy Kaling is taking it by storm. Kaling is an actress and comedian who is best known for her leading role in the comedy series The Mindy Project. She also gained recognition in the entertainment industry with her role as Kelly Kapoor in NBC’s The Office. Kaling is credited with this show coming to life from the change of Velma’s race to the prospect of this show being more mature than original portrayals of the character. From what we know of Kaling as an actress and comedian, we are expecting this show to be incredibly entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny.
Glenn Howerton as Fred
Rogue Pictures
The character Fred in the original Scooby-Doo franchises is seen as the “leader” of the group of meddling kids and their dog. In this sort of Velma origin story, Fred will be voiced by Glenn Howerton. Howerton is an actor and screenwriter whom you might recognize from movies like 2020’s The Hunt and the 2008 horror thriller The Strangers. Also, he played Dennis Reynolds in the sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Now, we are more than excited to see his take on who Fred is in this upcoming animated series!
Sam Richardson as Shaggy
Apple TV+
The beloved character Shaggy, who is Scooby’s right-hand man in the franchise is having himself a little rebranding in the new show. In Velma, Norville Rogers, AKA Shaggy, will be Black, and the character will be voiced by the one and only Sam Richardson. Richardson is an actor and comedian who is known for playing Richard Splett in HBO’s political comedy show Veep. He also plays roles in movies like We’re The Millers, Good Boys, Ted Lasso, and Hooking Up.
Constance Wu as Daphne
SK Global
Constance Wu is our Daphne in Velma! Wu is just another name added to this incredibly diverse cast, and her voice in this role will be very exciting. Wu has become a household name in the industry with her roles as Rachel Chu in Crazy Rich Asians, Destiny in Hustlers, and as Jessica in the sitcom Fresh Off the Boat. If you are a fan of Wu’s work like we are, her addition to this cast is a win all around!
Jane Lynch
FOX
Jane Lynch is a masterful representation of a phenomenal comedic presence in modern entertainment. As a personality in this industry, Lynch has forged a reputation of being absolutely hilarious and for an adult remake of a beloved children’s franchise, Lynch fits in like a glove. Lynch is best known for her role as the dominating presence and William McKinley High School’s cheerleading coach Su Sylvester in Glee. Along with a plethora of movie and TV credits behind that, we are more than excited to see the role she will play in Velma next year.
Wanda Sykes
Netflix
The impressive list of big-name comedians in this cast is fitting for how big this project is set out to be. So many eyes are on this series, and with the inclusion of stand-up comedian and actress Wanda Sykes, excitement is a given. Sykes is an incredibly decorated person in entertainment, having won a Primetime Emmy Award for her writing contributions of The Chris Rock Show along with multiple movie and TV roles throughout her career.
Weird Al Yankovic
Orion Pictures
Where do we begin? Weird Al Yankovic has entered the building! Yes, you read that right. Yankovic is an actor, sing, songwriter, musician, and producer that has taken the world of entertainment by storm. To say that he is an iconic figure in pop culture is a huge understatement. His eccentric career and aesthetic have launched him into stardom, and he will also be receiving his own biopic starring Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe.
Debby Ryan
Disney Channel
Debby Ryan was also recently announced as a member fo this star-studded cast. Although the character she is playing in Velma has yet to be made public, her acting credentials are enough to grab our attention. Ryan is part of a group of Disney Channel alumni, and she is keeping things going in her acting career. Ryan stared as Bailey in the Disney Channel show Suite Life On Deck as well as starring in some series including Disney’s Jessie and Netflix’s Insatiable.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Bruce Kluckhohn/USA TODAY Sports
Now, if you recognize Karl-Anthony Towns, it probably has nothing to do with the film and TV industry. Towns is an incredibly gifted and respected player in the NBA. Aside form being the star of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Towns has apparently begun pursuing other endeavors off the court. Towns will be part of the cast for Velma and no matter what the role might be, eyes are going to be on this athlete in more ways than one.
