Mckenna Grace Shows Off Boxing Skills for ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins’ and Fans Are Excited

Fans of ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins’ have a fresh reason to celebrate, thanks to Mckenna Grace, who is stepping into the role of the iconic Daphne Blake. A viral post featuring Grace in boxing gear, fists raised and embodying the action heroine, has sparked a wave of excitement across social media.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect as filming is currently underway for Netflix’s ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins,’ a modern reimagining of the beloved children’s series. Production officially began on April 27 in Atlanta, Georgia, and is scheduled to continue until September 10, 2026. Grace’s apparent combat training coinciding with the start of filming has fans eagerly analyzing every detail.

In this series, Grace portrays a young Daphne Blake, exploring the origins of how the Mystery Inc. gang first came together. Netflix greenlit the show for eight episodes in March 2025. Many fans see Grace as a perfect fit, especially since she voiced a young Daphne in the 2020 film ‘Scoob!’ and was set to reprise the role in a planned sequel that was ultimately scrapped.

The training photos resonate deeply with fans, evoking memories of the franchise’s past. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s portrayal of Daphne in the early 2000s films featured a character trained in martial arts, breaking away from the traditional “damsel in distress” trope, much like Gellar’s iconic role as Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Grace’s apparent channeling of that same energy is exactly the kind of continuity that fans are eager to see honored.

The full Mystery Inc. lineup includes Tanner Hagen as Shaggy Rogers, Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma Dinkley, Maxwell Jenkins as Fred Jones, and Paul Walter Hauser in a yet-to-be-revealed role, believed to be Scooby-Doo’s original owner. The ensemble has already generated significant buzz, with the first official look from the production released while filming was ongoing, introducing the core gang without Scooby himself, who will likely be added through VFX.

As production is set to continue into the middle of 2026, the series is not anticipated to premiere on Netflix until at least 2027. While the wait may be lengthy, Grace’s dedication to her training has provided fans with something to hold onto in the meantime. Whether or not a fighting Daphne is part of the actual storyline in ‘Scooby-Doo: Origins,’ Grace’s commitment signals that this version of the character will not be overshadowed.

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Are you excited to see Mckenna Grace bring a more action-oriented Daphne Blake to Netflix?