Disney is taking another step into the YA space with its newest series pickup.
Disney+ and Disney Channel have greenlit Coven Academy, a dramedy about a group of young witches in New Orleans. The show comes from Disney Branded Television and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series creator Tim Federle.
It’s also, notably, not based on any pre-existing IP, which has been the m.o. for Disney in the kids and family arena in recent years. Coven Academy is an original premise from Federle that “follows a trio of teenage witches-in-training who are bound by destiny to guard their city against dangerous, ancient forces,” the logline reads. “Between unraveling dark secrets, mastering volatile magic, and facing off against distractingly cute rivals, they must also navigate the heartbreaks and deep bonds that come with growing up.” It’s set to premiere in 2026.
Malina Pauli Weissman (A Series of Unfortunate Events), Tiffani Thiessen, Malachi Barton (Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires), Louis Thresher (Boarders), Jordan Leftwich (Family Switch) and Ora Duplass star. Brendon Tremblay, Swayam Bhatia and Keegan Connor Tracy will have recurring roles.
“Coven Academy is an innovative format that blends supernatural intrigue with the friendships, challenges and self-discovery of the teenage experience,” said Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis. “Under Tim Federle’s creative leadership, this magical high school comes alive with a breakout cast, continuing our tradition of creating stories and stars that connect deeply with today’s generation.”
Added Federle, “I pitched Coven Academy as a love letter to the genre YA shows I grew up on. I’m thrilled to bring this original story to the screen with my longtime friends at Disney, led by Ayo Davis, and I can’t wait for the world to meet the incredible cast and crew who are conjuring our world into being.”
Coven Academy has been in development for some time, with Disney ordering a pilot for the show in March. It’s one of several projects Federle has in the pipeline at Disney, where he has an overall deal. He’s also executive producing Disney Channel’s live-action comedy Vampirina: Teenage Vampire (based on the animated series and books Anne Marie Pace and Leuyen Pham), directing a Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion sequel for 20th Century Studios and writing a stage musical adaptation of The Greatest Showman for Disney Theatrical Group. He is repped by CAA, Magnet Management and Jackoway Austen.
Federle wrote and directed the Coven Academy pilot and will executive produce via his Chorus Boy Productions. Kimberly McCullough and Bronwyn North-Reist, head of creative at Chorus Boy, also exec produce.
