Disney has officially renewed Coven Academy for a second season. The supernatural teen drama premiered this fall on Freeform, Disney+, and Hulu, and quickly became a hit with teens and families.
The renewal comes after the series faced pushback from a parental advocacy group before it even aired.
Season 1 by the Numbers
- 20.3 million hours watched worldwide in the first three weeks on Disney+ and Hulu
- 30+ million views of the first chapter on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
- No. 1 streaming series among teens ages 12 to 17 during premiere weekend, according to Nielsen
- Top five among all viewers by views
The show also brought families together. About half of viewers ages 12 to 17 and nearly two-thirds of viewers ages 6 to 11 watched with an adult, as Variety first reported.
What the Show Is About
Coven Academy is set at Crescent Veil, an elite magic boarding school in New Orleans. It follows three teenage witches and their warlock classmates as they deal with:
- Ancient supernatural wars
- Forbidden romance
- Dangerous secrets
- A growing threat to the city
The series is rated PG-V.
The Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Malina Pauli Weissman | Briar, a New Yorker who learns she’s a witch |
| Malachi Barton | Jake, a charming warlock with an edge |
| Jordan Leftwich | Sasha, who can read minds |
| Ora Duplass | Tegan, who can bend time |
| Louis Thresher | Ollie, a newly turned vampire |
| Tiffani Thiessen | Miss Graves, head of the school |
| Devon Sawa | Mr. Cole, warlock professor (guest star) |
The Controversy
In August, One Million Moms released an alert urging parents to skip the show.
The group’s concerns:
- Claimed Disney is pushing witchcraft on tweens and teens
- Said the company promotes secular worldviews to young viewers
- Objected to trailer content including teen romance, witch sisterhood, and vampires
- Cited Bible passages it views as warnings against witchcraft
The group asked supporters to sign a pledge not to support Disney or the series.
The Response
Many fans and parents pushed back, pointing to Disney’s long history with magic:
- Hocus Pocus: A Halloween favorite for decades
- Wizards of Waverly Place: Four seasons on Disney Channel plus a sequel series
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Released in 1971
- The Sword in the Stone: Released in 1963
Supporters say these stories are clearly fantasy. Others noted the show is openly rated PG-V, giving parents the information they need to decide.
Most families seem to land on the same answer: it’s a personal choice.
Why Disney Gets Targeted
Disney makes content for every age group, from preschool shows to adult dramas, all under one name. A teen drama on Freeform is aimed at a very different audience than a Disney Junior series, but both are seen as Disney.
Fun fact: Coven Academy was first planned as Disney Channel’s first young adult series before moving to Freeform and streaming.
Season 2 Details
Behind the scenes:
- Creator Tim Federle (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) returns as executive producer
- Also producing: Darren Swimmer, Todd Slavkin, Amanda Row, and Bronwyn North-Reist
- Produced by Federle’s Chorus Boy Productions with Disney Kids and Family
Still unknown:
- Premiere date
- Episode count
Federle has hinted that the mother-daughter storyline from Season 1 will continue. The finale left open questions about family secrets, loyalties, and a looming darkness.
How to Watch Season 1
All 21 chapters are streaming on:
- Disney+
- Hulu
- Freeform On Demand
The full season runs a little over five hours, making it an easy binge.
Final Thoughts
Coven Academy has been both a ratings success and a source of debate. With Season 2 confirmed, Disney is clearly standing behind the show. Whether it belongs on your family’s watch list is up to you.
