Where You Know The Cast Of Disney's 'Coven Academy' From

I love supernatural teen dramas, so the buzz around Disney’s Coven Academy (2026) is very real for me. The New Orleans-set series follows teen witches and warlocks at a magic boarding school. “Caught between ancient supernatural wars and forbidden love interests, the coven must decide how far they’re willing to go to protect their city—and themselves,” per its synopsis. I was interested from the title alone, but the details about the show are genuinely intriguing. I will be tuning in when Coven Academy premieres Thursday, October 1, on Freeform. The full season will be available to stream the next day on Disney+ on Hulu. 

I miss the days of The Vampire Diaries (2009), Teen Wolf (2011), Nancy Drew (2019), and Vampire Academy (2022). I’m investing a lot of hope in Coven Academy to help this subgenre thrive again. Tim Federle, who also created the extremely self-aware and heartwarming High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019) also adds to that hope. As for the cast, Coven Academy mostly consists of rising talent and newcomers. For instance, its recurring cast includes Swayam Bhatia as McKenna, Brendon Tremblay as Alexander, Keegan Connor Tracy as Tamora, BJ Harrison as Agnes and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as Teese.  

Malina Pauli Weissman as Briar

It’s only in retrospect that I realize the first time I’d ever seen Malina Pauli Weissman on screen was in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014). She played a younger version of Megan Fox’s April O’Neil in that. Ironically, Pauli Weissman would then go on to play a young Kara Zor-El in Supergirl (2015), which is where I really became familiar with her work because I love that show.

On the other hand, several of my friends found Pauli Weissman through A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017). She stars in that three-season show as Violet Baudelaire. Her work in that series doesn’t feel like that far a leap for her lead role as Briar in Coven Academy. The trailer reveals that, after her mother Mary’s death, Briar comes to the titular boarding school with powers (telekinesis appears to be one of them) that manifest from angry outbursts. Needless to say, Briar is one of the three witches leading the way in Disney’s Coven Academy.

Malachi Barton as Jake

It’s actually wild to think back to Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle (2016), and not only because it starred Jenna Ortega, who is now Wednesday Addams in Wednesday (2022). It makes me realize how long Malachi Barton has been tied to Disney because he starred as Beast Diaz in that show. He has gone on to appear in many of its shows and movies.

From Bunk’d (2015) to The Villains of Valley View (2022) and the Under Wraps (2021) revival, Barton has certainly made a mark on Disney Channel. He broke out as the vampire Victor in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (2025). He stars as Fletch, opposite Liamani Segura, in Camp Rock 3 (2026). So, really, it’s no surprise that Disney also locked Barton in as a warlock named Jake in Coven Academy. It has a darker, more mature tone than Malachi’s other Disney projects, so it’s going to be interesting to see him tackle a role in that realm.

Jordan Leftwich as Sasha

I love knowing that Jordan Leftwich appeared in an episode of Loot (2024) because I think that show is criminally underrated. It’s more likely that you recognize Leftwich from Family Switch (2023), in which she played Ava. In Coven Academy, Leftwich stars as one of the three witches, Sasha. Teen Vogue describes her character as “a powerfully empathetic witch who can read emotions and control thoughts, but remains cautious of outsiders due to a painful family history.”

Leftwich doesn’t have that many credits yet, but that makes Coven Academy all the more exciting. I really appreciate that the show is finding up-and-coming talent for its ensemble. For example, Orla Duplass, who recently starred as Abby in Their Town (2026), plays the third witch, Tegan. Plus, Louis Thresher, who plays Jonny in the excellent show Boarders (2024), will join Coven Academy as a new vampire named Ollie. I love that the 30-second teaser trailer already teases a love triangle between Briar, Jake, and Ollie. We are so back!

Tiffani Thiessen as Miss Graves

Of course, Tiffani Thiessen is the Kelly Kapowski from one of the most iconic coming-of-age sitcoms, Saved by the Bell (1989). She reprised her role in the sequel series, Saved by the Bell (2020). She’s married to Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), and their son, Mac (Mitchell Hoog), attends Bayside High. It’s been years, and I still believe that the Peacock series is one of the best examples of a sequel series. So I’m forever bitter that the show didn’t get more time. 

Regardless, you may also know Thiessen from her role as Elizabeth Burke in White Collar (2009) or Lori Mendoza, Alexa’s (Paris Berelc) mom in Alexa & Katie (2018). Even as a fan of a good procedural, I prefer the latter because that coming-of-age comedy remains incredibly endearing. In Coven Academy, Thiessen plays Miss Graves, a witch and the head of the school. I know I’m excited to see her take on this different kind of role in a coming-of-age show.

Devon Sawa as Mr. Cole

Devon Sawa is only billed as a special guest star on Coven Academy, but as a fan of his, I have to include him in this list. I, like many others, likely first met Sawa when he played the human version of the Friendly Ghost in Casper (1995). I mean, who doesn’t remember watching him ask Kat (Christina Ricci), “Can I keep you?” That movie is a seasonal staple for a reason!

Sawa has also made a significant presence in the horror genre after starring as Alex Browning in Final Destination (2000). I don’t want to give away the twists, but I love how Heart Eyes (2025) uses Sawa’s casting as Detective Zeke Hobbs to its advantage. Personally, though, I hold his turn as Owen Elliot/Sam Matthews (It’s a long story) in Nikita (2010) close to my heart. I love that show, and he always elevated it when he appeared throughout its four-season run. For Coven Academy, Sawa suits up as a teacher and warlock named Mr. Cole. To say that I’m excited to see what kind of impact his character will have is an understatement.