Shocking News: Mindy Kaling's Velma Officially Canceled After Two Seasons!

In an unexpected twist, it seems Mindy Kaling's animated series “Velma,” which has stirred plenty of controversy since its debut on Max, has officially been canceled after two seasons. This revelation comes from none other than Davey Cummings, a background artist who worked on the show. He shared the news on Instagram while showcasing some of the spooky backdrops he created for the upcoming “Velma” Halloween special.

Cummings posted, "Backgrounds I painted for Velma Halloween Special," and while sharing his artistic triumphs, he dropped the bombshell: “There will not be a season 3, but I hope I get to work with these amazing talented people again one day. GO WATCH 'VELMA' HALLOWEEN SPECIAL ON MAX!!”

This announcement isn't surprising given the rocky reception the series faced following its launch in 2023. While some of the show's criticisms might come from a place of bias against women-led productions, there were undeniable issues with its writing, humor, and portrayal of stereotypes. Despite the star-studded cast, including Kaling voicing Velma, Constance Wu as Daphne, Sam Richardson as Shaggy, and Glenn Howerton as Fred, the show failed to resonate with audiences.

Critics have pointed out that the series' attempts at subverting classic tropes didn't translate into the engaging entertainment many had hoped for. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus for the first season stated that “Velma” lacks the “first clue” to transform its clever concepts into enjoyable viewing. Prominent reviewer Heather Hogan from Autostraddle described the show as a “cringy, eye-rolling slog” that evidently struggled to grasp its own audience.

Despite its lackluster performance, “Velma” did manage to return for a second season and even aired a Halloween special titled “This Halloween Needs To Be More Special!” However, as Cummings confirmed, this special will serve as the series' swan song.

For fans of the franchise, both seasons of “Velma” and the Halloween special remain available for streaming on Max — but with its cancelation, the future of the beloved Scooby-Doo universe feels uncertain. Is this the end of Kaling's take on Velma, or could we see a revival in the future? You won't want to miss what's next in the ever-evolving landscape of animated television!