It was recently announced that Netflix will be developing a live-action Scooby-Doo series and the iconic characters must be well-cast, including the “brains” of the mystery gang, Velma Dinkley. The Scooby-Do franchise was started in 1969 by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears with the first installment of many Scooby-Do TV shows, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! Since then, the beloved group of friends has been adapted into video games and films, both live-action and animated. Every new version of the characters, both in their design and characterization, has allowed them to evolve and adapt to whichever generation is the targeted audience.
However, it’s still important that the essence of the well-known characters remains intact, regardless of whoever assumes the role. For Velma, she’s known to many as the smartest in the group, utilizing her intelligence and problem-solving abilities more than the others. Velma can also be sarcastic at times, skeptical of the paranormal world, and some versions of Velma depict her as socially awkward. Details have yet to be revealed about the tone of Netflix’s Scooby-Doo series, or of the age Velma and her friends are supposed to be, but there are a few actors whose previous work shows they’d be perfect for the role.
Known recently for having starred in the second season of HBO’s The White Lotus as Portia, Haley Lu Richardson has another role in her filmography that shows she’d be a great fit for a live-action Velma. Richardson’s character Veronica in Unpregnant shows the actress can tap into Velma’s dramatic side. In the 2017 movie, Scooby-Doo! Shaggy’s Showdown, there’s a scene in which Velma panics over the choice of font on a website, equating the choice to the action of “putting salt in someone’s eyes!” Though less hyperbolic and more warranted due to her circumstance, Veronica too goes on emotional rants. Richardson’s combined work in Unpregnant and The White Lotus proves she has the talent to comedically express her frustration in an exaggerated manner that still warrants laughter without becoming clownish.
Jessica Henwick is known for her action roles in films such as Love and Monsters and The Gray Man, but in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, a comedic performance was given as the character Peg, the assistant to the decadent former supermodel Birdie (Kate Hudson). Peg is intelligent and quick on her feet when it comes to helping her demanding boss. Henwick’s portrayal of Peg’s wit is similar to her character Bugs in The Matrix Resurrections, albeit the actress is working in two differing genres.
The ability to convincingly play Velma’s intelligence is crucial for whoever takes on the beloved character and Henwick has the skill. Additionally, Henwick’s experience in action films can bring something new to Velma. A one-on-one fight between Velma and a monstrous villain would be a fun surprise for the audience and characters within the series itself, as Velma isn’t known for her physical strength.
Stepping into an established and well-known franchise is not a challenge for Hailee Steinfeld. Having taken on the role of Gwen Stacy, Kate Bishop, and a fictionalized version of the famous poet, Emily Dickinson, Velma would be another fun character in pop culture for Steinfeld to play. Many of Steinfeld’s most notable roles share a strong sense of independence and determination, as pointed out by Steinfeld when she compared the characters of Emily and Kate. A comparable intellect, wit, and charm can also be found in Velma. As a beloved character for many years, audiences find Velma largely likable, which is part of why the response to Max’s Velma series was considerably negative. However, if Netflix is to keep in tune with the classic amiable characters, Steinfeld’s presence on the screen would have no issue getting audiences to admire her version of Velma.
If Netflix’s Scooby-Doo series were to establish their version of the mystery gang as teenagers, Iman Vellani would be an ideal fit for Velma. In 2020, Vellani was cast as Marvel’s Kamala Khan and made her official onscreen debut in 2022. Vellani is new to acting and while she has yet to go beyond the world of Marvel, she’s proven to have an immense amount of charm, on and off-screen, which lends itself well to a live-action Velma.
Through her portrayal of Kamala, Vellani exhibits her fangirl love for famous superheroes, aspiring to be like them one day. Even though Velma doesn’t have an idol equivalent to the Avengers, she is still extremely passionate about her interests. Whether it’s lively like Kamala or toned down to match Velma’s personality, Vellani could effortlessly portray the character’s passion for solving mysteries and reading up on obscure topics.
Isabella Gomez’s most well-known role, Elena Alvarez in One Day at a Time, has a few things in common with Velma, discarding any doubt about whether Gomez could play a live-action version of her. Some versions of Velma’s backstory explore the ways her parents pushed her towards success in her academic work, which resulted in Velma being a focused and highly achieved student. Similarly, Elena is characterized by her smarts and outspoken personality, a trait likely boosted by her participation on the debate team. As vocal as Velma can be at times, there’s a vulnerable side to her that’s rarely explored due to the various Scooby-Doo series being focused on mystery and adventure. However, throughout Elena’s character arc, Gomez tapped into a vulnerable side that would be useful if the Netflix series were to further explore the heart of the characters.
Bailee Madison is likely to be recognized from her TV roles as Hillary in Trophy Wife or Sophia in The Fosters, but she’s a standout in the recent Pretty Little Liars spin-off series as Imogen. The show follows the premise of the original series — a group of girls receive strange messages from a person called “A” — but expands on the mystery by including horror and slasher elements. With two seasons so far, Madison has proved to be a natural in a setting with clues that lead to a terrifying villain. Everyone in the Scooby-Doo friend group helps to solve mysteries in any way they can, but it’s often Velma who is spearheading the detective work with a level-headed, and skeptical, mind. As Imogen, Madison acts as a natural leader and would fit neatly within another group of four other companions without overshadowing the importance of their roles.
Having acted in numerous musicals while in school, Rachel Zegler made her onscreen debut as María in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Since then, Zegler has gone on to play female characters with a shared sense of courage and wit that can help further develop Velma as a character. Whether it’s fear or a result of her impeccable intellect, Velma tends to dismiss any paranormal activity and seeks to find a logical explanation instead.
While the Netflix series can show Velma starting with this characteristic trait, it’d be worth the attempt to see her accept the reality of ghosts and zombies and face them with the same courage found in Zegler’s characters. As seen with Zegler’s portrayal of Lucy Gray, she has the skill to play problem-solving characters who are resilient when their circumstances are difficult. Velma would be a wonderful addition to Zegler’s career if the new live-action series wishes to expand upon the character in this way.
Ariel Winter’s most notable role is as Alex Dunphy on Modern Family. Out of every character Winter has played, it appears that Alex is the most like Velma. The two are characterized by their intellect and known for their signature pair of eyewear. However, Winter voiced the character of Abigail in The Quarry, an interactive horror video game, and she bears a closer resemblance to Velma.
Some versions of Velma show her to be socially awkward and introverted compared to her confident and bold friends. Abigail has an almost identical personality, often escaping into her art. A significant part of The Quarry and video games like it is the voice acting. The actors’ speech must be natural and immersive, which Winter accomplishes. Due to her range of voice work throughout her career, Winter would likely have no issue putting her twist on Velma’s voice whilst keeping remnants of Velma’s well-known speech.
Much of Ayo Edebiri’s career is attributed to her distinct comedic style. As an actor and a writer, Edebiri’s sense of humor shines through and is easy to engage with no matter what character she’s playing, making her a perfect fit should Netflix choose to stick with the franchise’s use of comedy. Right now, it’s unclear if the series will be geared toward adults or children, but regardless, Edebiri’s knack for sarcastic comedy would work greatly for Velma.
At the end of the day, Velma cares deeply about her friends and does all she can to protect them, but some versions of Velma allow her sass to come through in her commentary. Velma is above her friends concerning her academic knowledge and this leads to her feeling frustrated and snappy towards their misunderstandings. Edebiri’s spin on Velma would transform this directness into something more endearing without becoming the bitter and widely disliked character in Velma.