Malachi Barton Is Going Full Witchy Heartthrob In ‘Coven Academy’ — And The First Teaser Has Us Under Its Spell
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Malachi Barton Is Going Full Witchy Heartthrob In ‘Coven Academy’ — And The First Teaser Has Us Under Its Spell

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Right, so consider us officially charmed. Malachi Barton — yes, that Malachi Barton, the 19-year-old scene-stealer from Zombies and Camp Rock 3 — has just been spotted looking moody, shirtless and suspiciously magical in the very first teaser for his new series, Coven Academy. And honestly? We are sat.

Barton plays Jake, described as a “magnetic warlock with a dangerous side”, which is precisely the sort of character description we’d expect from someone who clearly knows exactly what their target audience wants. Dangerous? Magnetic? Say less.

Hold On — What’s Coven Academy Actually About?

Good question, and the powers that be are keeping things deliciously vague. What we do know is that the teen drama unfolds in a “bingeable new format” — the story is told through “a series of fast-paced chapters designed to pull audiences deeper into the magic at every turn”. Translation: don’t expect to watch just one episode and carry on with your evening.

Interestingly, the show was originally announced for Disney Channel, but has since shifted to Freeform — which usually signals a slightly darker, more grown-up tone. Consider our expectations officially raised.

The Cast Is Low-Key Stacked

Barton isn’t carrying this coven alone. Rounding out the ensemble are:

  • Malina Pauli Weissman as Briar, a fiercely independent New Yorker who discovers she’s a witch (a relatable arc, honestly)
  • Jordan Leftwich as Sasha, a deeply empathic student who can read minds
  • Ora Duplass as Tegan, an irreverent, time-bending witch
  • Louis Thresher as Ollie, a hungry, newly turned vampire
  • Tiffani Thiessen as Miss Graves, the formidable and thoroughly glamorous head of the school

And because no teen drama is complete without a devastatingly charismatic teacher, Devon Sawa joins as a special guest star playing Mr Cole, a brilliant and charming warlock professor.

Look out, too, for some familiar faces in the recurring cast: Barton’s Zombies co-star Swayam Bhatia as McKenna, Brendon Tremblay (Descendants: Wicked Wonderland) as Alexander, plus Keegan Connor Tracy, BJ Harrison and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as Teese.

Behind the camera, the whole thing comes from Tim Federle — the creator of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series — who created the show and executive produces. If anyone knows how to bottle lightning-in-a-saga teen energy, it’s him.

Right, When Can We Actually Watch It?

Coven Academy premieres on Thursday 1 October on Freeform at 8pm ET/PT. For viewers this side of the pond, the full season lands on Disney+ the very next day — which, let’s be honest, is how most of us will be watching anyway. (Freeform on Demand also gets the drop.)

First-look photos have already landed, and between the brooding stills and that teaser, we’re going to need this release date to arrive immediately.

Will you be tuning in? Team Jake or team literally-anyone-else-with-magical-powers? Either way, the coven is assembling — and we’ll be front row.

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