'Coven Academy' Season 1 Ending, Explained
Coven Academy (2026) dropped its 21-episode first season on Disney+, and it builds a whole supernatural world packed with twists and turns. It all culminates in Coven Academy Season 1, Episode 21, “After the Ashes,” which is one of the two 22-minute episodes of the season. It uses that runtime to wrap up its Big Bad (Thank you to 1997’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer for originating the term) in its opening minutes. That alone teases that there is much more at play in this season finale, and even that is an understatement for where this show takes its characters.
Sasha (Jordan Leftwich) confronts her brother, Mason (Nathaniel Logan McIntyre), whom she believed to be dead before discovering that he’s actually a vampire. That development sends her back to her previous decision to stay with her coven, consisting of newcomer Briar (Malina Pauli Weissman) and Tegan (Ora Duplass), instead of going to a prestigious school in Italy. In Italy, Sasha can find the elixir of life to reverse her brother’s vampirism. Would you believe me if I said that’s only one of the compelling turns in Coven Academy’s Season 1 finale? Here are all the biggest questions heading into the final episode and their answers.
Does the Coven Defeat William?
It takes some time (and includes a few twists), but the coven defeats William (Tahmoh Penikett), an evil warlock who has wanted to rid the world of “demon-blooded” beings since the 1990s. It’s best that Coven Academy doesn’t only have Briar, Sasha, and Tegan defeat William’s evil plan and send him somewhere forever. (There isn’t really confirmation that he’s dead, only that he’s gone for good.) Given their history and the loss that Emma (Tiffani Thiessen) has experienced because of William, it’s satisfying that she has a literal hand in his demise. It’s also a big moment, setting up the Coven Academy Season 1 cliffhanger that changes everything.
As for Jake, he spends much of the season emotionally torn and corrupted by dark magic use because of William. William, wearing Peter’s (Devon Sawa) face thanks to shapeshifting powers, tells Jake that he’s his father and that he’s been searching for him his whole life, just as Jake has been searching for his dad. William heaps responsibility on Jake’s shoulders by saying it’s Jake’s summoning spell that gave William back his powers after they were bound in 1992. So, it’s a compelling choice for Jake to stand alongside the witches, whom William despises, and stand up against his dad. It brings Jake’s arc full circle while leaving plenty for a second season.
Does Briar End Up With Ollie or Jake?
Getting his dad back and losing in such quick succession also opens Coven Academy’s season finale up for that last scene between Briar and Jake. It comes amid Briar’s recent (and intense) breakup with Ollie (Louis Thresher), who pushes Briar away to protect her from himself and his fledgling vampire tendencies. In this scene, Jake passes along a tradition from the magic world about shedding what holds them back. Together, they burn the dark magic grimoire and look to the future. The only thing is that the future doesn’t include their romantic relationship just yet.
Because the truth is that Briar doesn’t end up with Ollie or Jake by the end of Coven Academy Season 1. She and Jake don’t even share a kiss because Briar stops them before they can. However, in a perfect escalation of the love triangle, Ollie, standing outside Jake’s window, doesn’t see that. Presumably, Ollie thinks that Briar is already moving on from him despite Ollie leaving a heartfelt letter at Briar’s bedroom window. In it, Ollie reinforces his plan to learn how to be with Briar, but after seeing her with Jake, Coven Academy shows Ollie leaving town. So, the love triangle persists, which isn’t the only romantic drama the show can explore in a second season.
For example, there’s Emma and Peter, who are finally making time for themselves and their long-standing feelings for each other. It helps that there’s no one pretending to be Peter for the sake of ruining the world anymore. There’s also Tegan and McKenna (Swayam Bhatia), who are exploring their feelings for one another. The Coven Academy Season 1 finale reveals some impending complications when McKenna shares that a vampire bit her during their breach of the school’s campus. Being the great person that she is, Tegan is nothing but supportive of McKenna, telling her that she won’t be alone in whatever comes next.
Who Is Briar's Biological Mother in 'Coven Academy'?
It’s unlikely that romance will be at the forefront of Briar’s mind for a potential second season, or, at least, not the only thing on her mind. After all, Coven Academy’s first season doesn’t end without one more twist, creating a compelling cliffhanger that will require immediate attention. William’s plans for death and domination involve that grimoire that Jake and Briar later burn. It belonged to Briar’s mom, Emma Roberts (Cecilia Grace Deacon), and only someone from her bloodline can recite the spells within its pages. So, it’s shocking that the magic doesn’t hold when Briar performs it. But, of course, that’s only one part of this unraveling puzzle that is absolutely gripping from start to finish.
When Emma joins Briar, Sasha, and Tegan’s coven and Jake against William, she asks Briar to trust her and take her hand. Both characters have a physical reaction to that point of connection. Once the dust settles from the action, Briar starts to put everything together with the help of her coven. They note that the spell Emma used that night references a mother (Gaia) and daughter (Theia). All the while, Emma reconnects with Mary’s spirit to say that not only does she think Briar knows the truth, but Emma also wants to tell her why she gave her up.
Mary reminds her friend, “This is bigger than us, Emma,” and, apparently, there is a threat looming with that news that Emma could never protect Briar from. The storm in the final minutes teases that danger is already here. The show revealing this down to the wire is thrilling. Not to mention, it reframes the entire season in such an exciting way. So, when is Disney+ going to renew Coven Academy? Now, please!
