The cast for Disney’s upcoming supernatural series Coven Academy just got a major upgrade. Devon Sawa, the actor famous for starring in the first Final Destination movie and more recently for playing multiple roles in the Chucky TV series, has signed on for a key guest role. He will appear as a teacher named Mr. Cole at the magical school where the show takes place.
The news broke on February 17, 2026, confirming that Sawa is the latest addition to a show that has been generating buzz since it was first announced in August 2025 . The series comes from Tim Federle, the creator who fans know from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Who is Devon Sawa Playing?
Sawa will step into the shoes of Mr. Cole, a character who sounds like the kind of teacher every student wishes they had. Official descriptions paint him as “the effortlessly cool teacher who’s tired of watching teenagers mistake talent for readiness” . He is described as the adult who can make fun of you but also keep you safe at the same time. The character is a good man and a brilliant warlock, which means he has serious magical skills.
The story takes an interesting turn because of Mr. Cole. The description reveals that everything seems normal for another year at Coven Academy until a surprising new student shows up. This student “threatens to upend everything” for Mr. Cole and the rest of the faculty . This sets up Sawa’s character to be right in the middle of the action when things go sideways.
For parents and younger viewers who might know Sawa from his older movies, this role shows a different side of him. He is playing an authority figure now, which makes sense given his long career in Hollywood.
What is ‘Coven Academy’ All About?
The show takes place in New Orleans, a city known for its real-life history with vampires, witches, and voodoo. The setting alone gives the series a spooky and atmospheric vibe. According to the official logline, the story follows three teenage witches and their warlock peers who are students at an elite magic school .
At this school, power is like money. It buys you influence and status. Secrets are dangerous and can get you killed. To make things even more complicated, attraction between the students is a liability because it can be used against them. The young witches and warlocks find themselves stuck between ancient wars involving supernatural creatures and forbidden love interests.
The main question the show asks is: how far are these teenagers willing to go to protect their city and themselves?
Tim Federle has described the project as a love letter to the young adult shows he grew up watching . This means viewers can expect a mix of magic, mystery, relationship drama, and the usual challenges of growing up, all wrapped up in a supernatural package.
The Full Cast List
Coven Academy has put together a solid group of actors. The main cast includes :
- Malina Pauli Weissman (known from A Series of Unfortunate Events) as Briar
- Malachi Barton (Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires) as Jake
- Jordan Leftwich (Family Switch) as Sasha
- Ora Duplass (Their Town) as Tegan
- Louis Thresher (Boarders) as Ollie
- Tiffani Thiessen (the beloved star from Saved by the Bell and 90210) as Miss Graves
The recurring cast members who will appear in multiple episodes include Swayam Bhatia, Brendon Tremblay, and Keegan Connor Tracy, who fans might recognize from her role in Once Upon a Time .
Devon Sawa’s Journey from Horror to Disney
For those who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s, Devon Sawa is a familiar face. He started as a child actor and became a teen heartthrob. He played the boy version of the title character in the movie Casper back in 1995, where his character briefly becomes human to dance with Christina Ricci . He also starred in comedies like Little Giants and Now and Then.
As he got older, Sawa moved into darker roles. He starred in the cult classic Idle Hands, a horror-comedy about a killer hand. He also appeared in SLC Punk. But his most famous role from that era is probably Alex Browning in the first Final Destination movie from 2000 . That film launched a huge horror franchise, and Sawa’s character is still remembered by fans today.
In recent years, Sawa has found new success on television. He played multiple characters in the Chucky series, which aired from 2021 to 2024 . He also showed up in popular shows like Twisted Metal on Peacock and the HBO Max comedy series Hacks, where he acted alongside Jean Smart . His most recent film appearance was in the romantic horror movie Heart Eyes .
Moving from horror projects like Chucky and Final Destination to a Disney+ series about witches might seem like a big change. But Sawa has always balanced different types of roles throughout his career. Playing a teacher at a magic school allows him to bring his experience to a younger audience.
Who is Making the Show?
Tim Federle is the creator of Coven Academy. He is not just a writer but also an executive producer through his production company, Chorus Boy Productions . Disney Branded Television is producing the series.
Federle has a strong track record with Disney. He created High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which ran for multiple seasons and was a hit on Disney+. He knows how to write for young audiences and how to blend drama with lighter moments. He also recently renewed his overall deal with Disney Branded Television, which means he will keep making content for them .
Besides Federle, the executive producer team includes Darren Swimmer, Todd Slavkin, Amanda Row, and Bronwyn North-Reist . This group has experience in television and should help guide the show to a smooth production.
Federle is also working on other projects. He is executive producing Vampirina: Teenage Vampire, another Disney series set to debut later this year. He is also directing a sequel to the movie Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and writing a stage musical based on The Greatest Showman .
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When and Where Can You Watch It?
Coven Academy was officially greenlit in August 2025 . The plan is for the series to debut sometime in 2026. It will be available on two platforms: the traditional Disney Channel for cable viewers and Disney+ for streaming audiences around the world .
As of now, there is no exact premiere date. The show is still in production, and no trailer has been released yet. But with casting news like this coming out in February 2026, it suggests that production is moving forward and fans might not have to wait too long.
For global audiences, Disney+ means the show will be accessible in many countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India, around the same time it airs in the United States.
What Does This Casting Mean for the Show?
Adding Devon Sawa to the cast is a smart move. He brings name recognition. Parents who grew up watching him will be curious to see what he is doing now. Horror fans who loved him in Final Destination and Chucky might check out a Disney show just because he is in it. And younger viewers will get to see a seasoned actor who knows how to handle both comedy and dramatic moments.
The character of Mr. Cole sounds like he will be a mentor figure. In many teen shows, the adult characters can be boring or one-dimensional. But the description of Mr. Cole suggests he will be different. He is cool. He jokes around. But he is also powerful and protective. That kind of character can become a fan favorite if written well.
The plot twist involving a new student who shakes up the faculty also hints that Mr. Cole will have a significant role to play. He is not just standing in the background. He will be involved in the main story.
The show seems to be aiming for a tone similar to other popular supernatural teen dramas. Some comparisons have been made to Riverdale and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina . But because it is on Disney, it will likely be appropriate for a younger audience while still having enough depth to keep older viewers interested.
With its New Orleans setting, a cast full of fresh young talent, and now a familiar face like Devon Sawa, Coven Academy is shaping up to be one of the more interesting Disney+ releases of 2026. Fans of magic schools, teen drama, and supernatural stories will want to keep this show on their radar.
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