The Scooby-Doo franchise, which first captivated audiences in 1969 with Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, continues its remarkable run into the present day, proving that the world can't get enough of the Mystery Inc. gang. As of late 2025, the beloved cartoon has experienced a major resurgence, featuring both a divisive, adult-oriented animated series and a highly anticipated new live-action project that promises to introduce the iconic characters to a new generation of fans. This constant evolution means the cast of characters—Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and of course, Scooby-Doo—is played by a rotating lineup of Hollywood’s most talented stars and legendary voice actors.
The current landscape of the Scooby-Doo universe is a fascinating mix of continuity and fresh takes, with some actors holding their roles for decades while others step in for specific, high-profile projects. From the enduring legacy of the core voice cast to the controversial, but popular, adult animated series Velma on Max (formerly HBO Max) and the major casting news surrounding the upcoming live-action series on Netflix, here is a deep dive into the stars who currently bring the world's favorite teenage sleuths to life.
The Enduring Core: Voice Actors Who Define Mystery Inc.
While the look and style of the Scooby-Doo universe may change, the voices of the main characters have remained surprisingly consistent for decades, thanks to two legendary performers. These actors are the backbone of the franchise, lending their talents to nearly every animated project, including direct-to-video films and ongoing animated series.
The most important cast member for nearly the entire history of the franchise is Frank Welker.
- Frank Welker (Fred Jones & Scooby-Doo): Welker is a voice acting titan who has voiced Fred Jones since the character’s inception in 1969. Following the passing of the original Scooby-Doo voice actor, Don Messick, Welker took on the role of the titular Great Dane in 2002. His dual role as the Mystery Inc. leader and the canine star makes him the longest-serving and most indispensable member of the cast.
- Matthew Lillard (Shaggy Rogers): Matthew Lillard first played Shaggy in the 2002 live-action film Scooby-Doo and its 2004 sequel, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Since 2004, Lillard has become the official voice of Shaggy for all animated projects, inheriting the role from the original voice actor, Casey Kasem. Lillard's energetic and distinct portrayal has cemented him as the definitive voice of Shaggy for modern audiences, and he is often the most requested actor for any new animated project.
- Grey DeLisle (Daphne Blake): DeLisle has been the primary voice of Daphne Blake since 2000, succeeding Mary Kay Bergman. She has voiced Daphne in countless animated series and films, including What's New, Scooby-Doo? and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, providing the character with her signature blend of elegance and occasional surprising competence.
- Kate Micucci (Velma Dinkley): Micucci, known for her work in the musical comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates, has voiced Velma in many recent projects, including Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! and Scooby-Doo! and the Krypto, Too! movie in 2023. She carries on the tradition of the "smart girl" character, originally voiced by Nicole Jaffe.
The New Generation: Meet the Netflix Live-Action Ensemble
One of the most exciting and current pieces of news in the franchise is the development of a new, eight-episode live-action Scooby-Doo series for Netflix. This project is set to feature a younger ensemble cast, portraying the Mystery Inc. gang during their last summer at camp, a fresh take on their origin story.
While the official announcement is highly anticipated, early production reports have named a promising group of young actors for the iconic roles. This series is generating significant buzz, especially since it marks a return to live-action for the core group, and notably, Frank Welker is confirmed to voice Scooby-Doo.
The rumored cast for the new Netflix series includes:
- Kit Connor (Fred Jones): Connor, a British actor, is best known for his breakout role as Nick Nelson in the Netflix teen series Heartstopper. His casting as the preppy, trap-setting leader Fred suggests a new, potentially more nuanced portrayal of the character.
- Peyton Elizabeth Lee (Velma Dinkley): Lee is an American actress who rose to prominence with the title role in the Disney Channel comedy-drama series Andi Mack. She is rumored to take on the role of the brainy and skeptical Velma.
- Jack Champion (Shaggy Rogers): Champion is an American actor known for his roles in major blockbusters like the Avatar franchise. He is reportedly set to play the perpetually hungry and cowardly Shaggy.
- Francesca Capaldi (Daphne Blake): Capaldi, known for her work on Disney Channel and various films, is rumored to portray the fashion-forward and resourceful Daphne Blake.
The 'Velma' Cast: A Controversial, Voice-Only Mystery
In a bold departure from the traditional Scooby-Doo formula, the Max (formerly HBO Max) adult animated series Velma, which premiered in 2023, focuses on the origin story of Velma Dinkley. The show is notable for its mature themes, meta-humor, and a complete re-imagining of the Mystery Inc. characters, including the controversial decision to exclude Scooby-Doo himself, making it a "Scooby-Doo without Scooby-Doo" experience.
The cast for Velma is a star-studded lineup of prominent comedians and actors, bringing a completely different energy to the characters.
Mindy Kaling: Velma Dinkley
Biography & Notable Roles: Vera Mindy Chokalingam, known professionally as Mindy Kaling, was born on June 24, 1979. She is an Indian-American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and director. Kaling first gained widespread recognition for her work as a writer and star (Kelly Kapoor) on the NBC sitcom The Office. She later created and starred in The Mindy Project and co-created the Netflix series Never Have I Ever. Kaling is also the executive producer and lead voice actor for Velma, offering a completely new, modern interpretation of the character.
Sam Richardson: Shaggy Rogers
Biography & Notable Roles: Sam Richardson was born on January 12, 1984, in Detroit, Michigan, to American and Ghanaian parents. He is a highly respected actor and comedian, best known for his roles as Richard Splett in the HBO series Veep and as Sam Duvet in the Comedy Central series Detroiters. In Velma, Richardson voices Shaggy, but in this iteration, the character's name is Norville Rogers, and he is notably not a stoner, a key change from his traditional portrayal.
Constance Wu: Daphne Blake
Biography & Notable Roles: Constance Wu is an American actress born on March 22, 1982. She is best known for her lead role as Jessica Huang in the ABC comedy series Fresh Off the Boat and as Rachel Chu in the romantic comedy-drama film Crazy Rich Asians. In Velma, Wu voices Daphne Blake, who is portrayed as Velma's frenemy and a character with an Asian-American background, reflecting the show's diverse casting approach.
Glenn Howerton: Fred Jones
Biography & Notable Roles: Glenn Howerton was born on April 13, 1976. He is an American actor, comedian, and writer, most famous for co-creating and starring as Dennis Reynolds in the long-running FX/FXX sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Howerton voices Fred Jones in Velma, portraying him as a privileged and somewhat insecure character, a satirical take on the original leader of the Mystery Inc. gang.
The Legacy of the Live-Action Movie Stars
While the focus is currently on the new Netflix series, no discussion of the Scooby-Doo cast is complete without mentioning the stars of the early 2000s live-action films, who are still highly relevant to the franchise's history.
- Matthew Lillard (Shaggy Rogers): As mentioned, Lillard’s performance in the 2002 and 2004 films was so authentic that he was cast as the permanent voice of Shaggy. Lillard is also famous for his roles in Scream and She's All That.
- Freddie Prinze Jr. (Fred Jones): Prinze Jr. played Fred in the live-action films. He is known for his roles in 90s teen films like I Know What You Did Last Summer and She's All That.
- Sarah Michelle Gellar (Daphne Blake): Gellar, Prinze Jr.'s wife, played Daphne. She is an icon of 90s and 2000s television, best known for her lead role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
- Linda Cardellini (Velma Dinkley): Cardellini's portrayal of Velma was widely praised. She has since starred in major projects like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (as Laura Barton) and the Netflix series Dead to Me.
The current state of the Scooby-Doo cast reflects the franchise's ability to constantly reinvent itself while maintaining a core identity. Whether it's the legendary voice work of Frank Welker and Matthew Lillard, the bold comedic takes of the Velma ensemble, or the fresh faces preparing to step into the Mystery Machine for the Netflix series, the legacy of Mystery Inc. continues to thrive, solving mysteries and unmasking villains for generations to come. The blend of nostalgic continuity and modern, diverse casting ensures that Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo will remain pop culture staples.
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