Mindy Kaling's 'Scooby-Doo' Reboot 'Velma' Gets HBO Max Premiere Date

Mar. 15, 2025

Mindy Kaling and Velma.Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty, HBO Max/YouTube

It’s shaping up to be a groovy year in 2023 asMindy Kaling’snew animated seriesVelmahas set its HBO Max debut for Jan. 12.

However,Velmahasn’t been without criticism, and Kaling responded at New York Comic Con in October to trolls' objections about theiconic character now being of South Asian descent.

“I think the vast majority of people are excited and ready for it and the show is for them,” she added.

Velma.Hanna-Barbera/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Officealum revealed the new animated series will also address Velma having “unresolved sexual tension with a lot of characters.”

“This journey of self-discovery for her is something that really drew us to this project and this character,” she said. “So we want to honor other interpretations and what we think feels really modern.”

RELATED VIDEO:Mindy Kaling ‘Fell in Love’ with Anne Hathaway Because of How She Handled 2012 Matt Lauer Interview

In July 2021, Kalingopened upabout fans' initial reaction to finding out Velma would be reimagined for the show.

“When it was announced that I was going to do the voice of Velma, people were very supportive and happy on Twitter,” Kaling said during an appearance onLate Night with Seth Meyers. “So I felt great because these are really intense fans — cartoon, comic book fans.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Velmapremieres Jan. 12 on HBO Max.

source: people.com