After Netflix's 'Wednesday' Success, Disney Greenlights Magical New Project

For years, audiences have loved shows featuring witches, fantasy, and all things magic — from Bewitched to Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Charmed, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Supernatural, A Discovery of Witches, The Magicians, and more. In the past few years, streaming giant Netflix has found a lot of success with magic-themed shows, including Wednesday, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Locke & Key, and The Sandman.

While not having as many successful magical shows on its platform, Disney has also found that audiences love movies and shows with a supernatural element. Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) had one of the best Disney+ debuts in history, and Marvel’s Agatha All Along was at the top of the streaming charts when it premiered in September 2024.

Three women dressed as witches stand in a brightly lit store aisle. They have striking hairstyles and colorful costumes: the first has long blonde hair, the middle has curly red hair, and the third has dark hair styled in an elaborate cone shape. They appear surprised. — Credit: Disney+

With the success of past and present mystical shows, Disney has greenlit a new project for Disney+ — Coven Academy.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show will be a dramedy (drama/comedy) about a group of witches living in New Orleans, the perfect spot for all things supernatural!

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.”

“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.”

Credit: Disney+

What makes Coven Academy special is that it is not based on any existing IP (Intellectual Property). While Disney has seen some success with original projects, much of its streaming success is from shows and movies that are based on existing properties.

Coven Academy’s creator, Tim Federle, is no stranger when it comes to working with Disney. He is the creative mind behind High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, which took Disney+ by storm when the platform launched in November 2019.

Federle has an overall first-look deal with Disney and has two more projects in the works — Vampirina: Teenage Vampire and a sequel to the cult-classic film Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997). The Romy & Michele sequel is being created under Disney’s 20th Century Studios, which Disney purchased from Fox in 2019.

Vampirina Teenage Vampire Show — Credit: Disney

Vampirina: Teenage Vampire is set to premiere on Disney Channel on September 12 and on Disney+ on October 15.

Federle is also currently working on a stage adaptation of the hit 2017 film, The Greatest Showman, for Disney Theatrical Group.

Coven Academy is set to premiere on Disney+ in 2026 and will star Tiffani Amber Thiessen (Saved by the Bell) as Miss Graves, Malachi Barton as Jake, Keegan Connor Tracy as Tamora, and Malina Pauli Weissman as Briar. The current cast also includes Swayam Bhatia as McKenna, Ora Duplass as Tegan, Brendon Tremblay as Alexander, Jordan Leftwich as Sasha, and Louis Thresher as Ollie.

Are you excited to learn that a magical new, original series is coming to Disney+ next year? Do you think Disney should put more effort into original shows and movies? What is your favorite original Disney+ series and movie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!