Disney is taking families into a darker magical world with Coven Academy, a new supernatural teen series premiering October 1 on Freeform before the full season arrives October 2 on Disney+ and Hulu. The 21-episode series follows teenagers learning to navigate magic, friendships, romance and dangerous secrets at a boarding school in New Orleans.
At the center is Briar, a New Yorker who discovers she is a witch and joins fellow students Sasha and Tegan to form a coven. Along the way, the group encounters mysterious threats while Briar also finds herself drawn to Jake, a powerful warlock, and Ollie, a newly turned vampire.
The cast includes Malina Pauli Weissman as Briar, Malachi Barton as Jake, Jordan Leftwich as Sasha, Ora Duplass as Tegan and Louis Thresher as Ollie. Parents may also recognize Tiffani Thiessen as the school’s formidable head, Miss Graves, and Devon Sawa as warlock professor Mr. Cole.
What Are Critics Saying About Coven Academy?
Early reviews suggest Coven Academy is deliberately pushing Disney’s family entertainment into somewhat older territory. Laughing Place describes it as an “edgier” approach, while noting that the series remains accessible enough for parents and older children to watch together.
One unusual feature is the show’s short episode length, with chapters running approximately 10 to 22 minutes. Laughing Place says the quick format keeps the story moving, although the reviewer also wished some relationships and revelations had more time to develop.
The response to the performances has been particularly positive. The review singles out Louis Thresher as Ollie and Malachi Barton as Jake, while Rotten Tomatoes currently lists a critic review describing the series as an entertaining YA drama that makes effective use of familiar supernatural genre tropes.
For parents, there is another consideration beyond whether kids will enjoy it. A 2025 study of 1,285 working parents found that 65% reported burnout, making easy opportunities for shared entertainment potentially valuable—but the study itself does not evaluate television or Coven Academy.
Is Coven Academy Worth Adding to the Family Watchlist?
Laughing Place awarded Coven Academy four out of five stars, praising its characters, fast-moving story and appeal as something parents and older children can watch together. The reviewer wrote that the series is “a lot of fun,” despite reservations about its pacing and setting.
Parents should know that this is not designed as a traditional Disney Channel children’s show. The supernatural violence is somewhat stronger, and the relationships are more mature, although the review notes that the physical romance does not go beyond intense kissing.
Overall, Coven Academy appears aimed at tweens, teens and families looking for something with more supernatural drama than a typical Disney series. With witches, vampires, mysteries and shifting friendships packed into short episodes, it could also be an easy show to sample together before deciding whether the entire season is a good fit.
