Linda Cardellini has responded to the recent news that her Scooby Doo character, Velma Dinkley, has come out as a lesbian. The actress memorably played the iconic cartoon detective in two live-action blockbusters from James Gunn, Scooby Doo (2002) and Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004).
Also starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne Blake, Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred Jones, Matthew Lillard as Shaggy Rogers and Neil Fanning as the titular character, both films have gained passionate cult followings.
Following years of speculation and confirmation by those who have worked on the character – including Gunn, who said he “tried” to make her openly lesbian in the 2002 blockbuster – Velma’s sexuality was finally explored in the brand new movie, Trick or Treat or Scooby Doo!.
A snippet from the film, which went viral on social media, saw Velma getting flustered when she meets costume designer Coco Diablo. “And as promised, here are your Scooby Snaaaaa…” she says before going googly-eyed as her glasses fog up. “Jinkies,” she then declares.