Where to Turn After ‘Coven Academy’ for More Witchy Teen Drama

‘Coven Academy’ premiered on Freeform on October 1, and the whole first season became available on Disney+ and Hulu the following day. The series follows three teenage witches and their charming warlock peers at an elite magic boarding school in New Orleans, where magic buys influence and romance carries real risk.

One review suggests the show will appeal to viewers who miss ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’. Another writer likened its soapy romance and big twists to the supernatural dramas The CW once specialized in. Shows like ‘Coven Academy’ therefore cover witch comedies, vampire romances and magic school dramas, and the picks below span that range.

‘Legacies’

‘Legacies’ is set in the universe of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and follows Hope Mikaelson, a rare mix of vampire, werewolf and witch. She attends the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted, where young supernatural students learn to manage their abilities while facing constant threats.

Metacritic recommends it to viewers who enjoy campy supernatural stories that are friendly to teen audiences. That makes it the nearest match to the school setting of ‘Coven Academy’.

‘The Vampire Diaries’

‘The Vampire Diaries’ begins in the small Virginia town of Mystic Falls, where grieving high schooler Elena Gilbert is drawn into a love triangle with the vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore.

Fangirlish points to it, along with ‘The Originals’ and ‘Legacies’, as the model for the romantic and melodramatic storytelling that ‘Coven Academy’ echoes.

‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’

‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ follows Sabrina Spellman, played by Kiernan Shipka, a half human and half witch in the town of Greendale who is expected to choose between her mortal and magical lives. She prepares to pledge loyalty to Satan and master witchcraft.

Metacritic recommends it for fans of dark stories about growing up. It works as a darker alternative for viewers who want more menace alongside the magic.

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ surrounds its hero with friends including Willow and Xander, along with her Watcher Giles. One list praises the way it balances action, heart and humor, with monster hunting and strong friendships.

The ‘Coven Academy’ review named it directly as a point of comparison.

‘Charmed’

‘Charmed’ centers on the sisters Prue, Piper and Phoebe, who protect innocent people from supernatural enemies. Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano and Shannen Doherty helped make it a classic built on magic and sisterhood.

Series creator Tim Federle has named it among the supernatural teen properties that inspired ‘Coven Academy’, along with ‘The Craft’, ‘Practical Magic’ and ‘Hocus Pocus’.

‘The Secret Circle’

‘The Secret Circle’ lasted a single season and is recommended for fans of witchcraft and magical fantasy. That short run makes it an easy and finite watch.

JustWatch also lists it among the similar series for viewers of ‘Coven Academy’.

‘The Magicians’

‘The Magicians’ ran for five seasons on Syfy and is described as a rare adaptation that improves on its source books. One list sums it up as ‘The Vampire Diaries’ meeting ‘Harry Potter’.

The show captures the aimless frustration of young adults who feel they have little to show for their efforts. That makes it a more grown up option for viewers who finish ‘Coven Academy’ wanting something with more weight.

‘A Discovery of Witches’

‘A Discovery of Witches’ begins when Diana Bishop finds a hidden magical manuscript in an Oxford library, which draws her into a world of secrets.

TVLine calls the chemistry between its two leads the main attraction and describes a cozy warmth that sets it apart. Looper also highlights the witch and vampire pairing at its center as a romance worth rooting for.

‘Vampire Academy’

Peacock’s ‘Vampire Academy’ is based on novels by Richelle Mead and follows Rose Hathaway, a part human and part vampire guardian, and Lissa Dragomir, a royal vampire whose friendship crosses class lines as they finish their education at St. Vladimir’s Academy.

It was developed by Julie Plec, who worked on ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and ‘Legacies’, and Marguerite MacIntyre, who also worked on ‘Legacies’.

‘The Worst Witch’

‘The Worst Witch’ is based on Jill Murphy’s books and follows Mildred Hubble, a clumsy young witch from a family without magic, across four seasons of uplifting storytelling.

It serves as a gentler counterpart to the romance and danger of ‘Coven Academy’. With no second season officially announced and plenty of storylines left open, which of these witchy predecessors do you hope ‘Coven Academy’ borrows from most if Briar and her coven return for another round?