3 Years Ago, HBO Max’s Most Controversial Animated Series Debuted

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Streaming services are constantly looking for ways to stand out, and many are investing in original animated series. While platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Crunchyroll have launched numerous new shows, HBO Max took a different approach: they decided to reimagine a beloved classic cartoon from Hanna-Barbera. Three years ago, the streaming service cast a well-known actress from The Office to lead a new take on the world of Mystery Incorporated. Now, as the show remains one of the most talked-about and divisive animated series ever made, it’s a good time to examine its initial success and subsequent decline.

The animated series Velma debuted on HBO Max in 2023, running for two seasons and concluding with a special finale. Mindy Kaling starred as Velma and also served as an executive producer, attracting well-known voice actors like Sam Richardson, Glenn Howerton, and Constance Wu to play Shaggy, Fred, and Daphne. However, the show received significant criticism from fans who felt it didn’t capture the spirit of the original Scooby-Doo. Despite its cancellation in 2024, one character from the franchise never appeared in the series.

Where Was Scooby-Doo?

It’s a bit strange that despite numerous mentions of the famous dog from Warner Bros., the show Velma never actually showed us what Scooby-Doo looked like in its universe. The show featured a central mystery called “Project S.C.O.O.B.I.” which involved turning dogs into dangerous weapons. Although Scooby himself never appeared, Scrappy-Doo played a significant role as the main villain, voiced by Jason Mantzoukas. Scrappy was transformed into a vengeful monster and ultimately defeated by Velma’s cleverness.

I watched the second season of Velma wrap up in 2024, and it was quite a ride! They brought Velma back to life, and tied up almost all the storylines from the series. While a couple of things felt a little unresolved, leaving the finale feeling slightly underwhelming, HBO Max still decided not to renew the show. Interestingly, a lot of animation fans seemed to be okay with that decision.

In a 2023 interview with Variety, Charlie Grandy, the creator of the Velma series, addressed the criticism it received. He explained that the original Hanna-Barbera Scooby-Doo shows are still available, and their series isn’t meant to replace them. He described his show as a separate addition to the Scooby-Doo universe. According to Grandy, Mindy Kaling approached him with the idea of creating a Velma-focused story because she was a fan of the character and thought it would be a humorous concept.

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2026-01-13 18:42