Paul Walter Hauser Boards Netflix’s Live-Action Scooby-Doo Series as Mystery Builds

Netflix’s live-action Scooby-Doo series has added another notable name to the lineup, with Paul Walter Hauser officially joining the cast as a series regular.

The announcement expands a cast that already includes Mckenna Grace as Daphne Blake, Tanner Hagen as Shaggy Rogers, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma Dinkley, and Maxwell Jenkins as Fred Jones. With the core group now taking shape, the upcoming series is beginning to look like a fresh but familiar take on one of pop culture’s most enduring mystery franchises.

Rather than retelling the classic formula beat for beat, Netflix’s version is set to explore how Mystery Inc. first came together. The story follows Shaggy and Daphne during their final summer at camp, where they become tangled up in a strange case involving a lost Great Dane puppy that may have witnessed a murder with possible supernatural ties. As the mystery deepens, they’re joined by Velma, described as sharp and science-minded, and Freddy, the mysterious new arrival whose presence complicates things in more ways than one.

That setup gives the series a slightly darker, more serialized edge than the traditional animated adventures, while still holding onto the DNA that made Scooby-Doo a multigenerational favorite. It’s clearly designed as an origin story, but one with a more modern YA mystery feel than longtime fans may expect.

Hauser’s exact role has not yet been revealed, which only adds a little extra intrigue around the project. Given his recent run of standout performances, his addition gives the show a welcome boost as Netflix continues to build anticipation around the adaptation.

Behind the scenes, the series comes with a strong producing team. Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg are attached as executive producers, alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Adrienne Erickson. Toby Haynes is also set to executive produce and direct the premiere episode.

Netflix has not announced a release date yet, but with the main cast continuing to come together, momentum around the project is clearly building. For fans of Scooby-Doo, this latest casting update suggests the streamer is aiming for something that balances nostalgia with a more contemporary mystery-thriller tone.