Despite bombing with critics and audiences alike, it appears that Velma will be returning for a second season. News regarding the sophomore season for the animated Scooby-Doo spin-off starring Mindy Kaling broke within Deadline's interview with Warner Bros. Television Group Chairman and CEO Channing Dungey.
It was only briefly mentioned in the article, and there's been no official announcement by HBO Max. However, a source close to the production also confirmed to IGN that a second season is in development.
Velma was met with mixed reviews from critics and currently sits at a 42% on Rotten Tomatoes. The critical consensus reads: "Jinkies! This radical reworking of the beloved Mystery Team has plenty of attitude and style, but it doesn't have the first clue for how to turn its clever subversion into engaging fun."
However, Scooby-Doo fans have been much more critical of the series. It currently has just a 7% Audience Score, with viewers slamming the show's uninspired plot, lackluster characters, and dull dialogue.
One major change from the original series is the character's ethnicity. While Velma was white in the original Scooby-Doo series, she's been re-imagined as Indian in this series. Speaking about the somewhat divisive change, Kaling explained to reporters earlier this fall, "We knew it would be fun for me to play Velma, but we had a conversation where Velma is white, and we have this new choice to do the show and If I'm voicing her, should she be white or should she not? The essence of Velma is not necessarily tied to her whiteness. And I identify so much as her character, and I think so many people do, so it's like, yeah, let's make her Indian in this series."
Velma is an adult animated comedy series telling the origin story of Velma Dinkley, the unsung and underappreciated brains of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. gang, voiced by Mindy Kalin. It's perhaps this re-imagining of the beloved character and the creative leaps taken that fans of the original Scooby-Doo series find disappointing.
But despite the disappointing review scores, Velma was a surprising hit for HBO Max in terms of viewership. According to Deadline, it was HBO Max's most-watched animated series debut ever. Hopefully, the series can find its footing in its sophomore season and gain the approval of longtime fans.
In addition to voicing the character, Mindy Kaling also serves as an executive producer of the show. Are you excited to see more of the Velma series?