Max cancels its most controversial animated series after two seasons

Max has just confirmed that its most controversial animated series, Velma, has been canceled after two seasons. Rumors began to circulate earlier this month, but now the streaming service has made the news official through a statement.

“During the last two seasons, Mindy [Kaling] and Charlie [Grandy] have created an incredibly fun and fresh world within the iconic whodunit franchise,” noted a spokesperson for Max. “While we will not be moving forward with another season of the series, we thank them for their captivating storytelling of growth, unparalleled clues, and entertaining antics.”

Goodbye to the Scooby-Doo universe

The news of the cancellation comes shortly after a Halloween special based on the series debuted on the platform this past October 3rd. The special served as a sort of “last chance” for the series, but after the lack of audience acceptance, Max has made their final decision.

Since its premiere in January 2023, Velma has been the subject of controversy, receiving all kinds of criticism. While some applauded its adult humor and new approach to the Scooby-Doo universe, many others harshly criticized the representation of the characters and the narrative, considering it disconnected from the original’s roots. The series barely achieved a 38% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so cancellation was a matter of time.