Devon Sawa has spent decades in front of cameras, and he knows fame comes with a price. On Coven Academy, the new Disney series from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series creator Tim Federle, Sawa plays Mr. Cole alongside Tiffani Thiessen’s Miss Graves at Crescent Veil Academy. He tells DECIDER that watching the show’s young cast navigate their careers is eye-opening.
Sawa’s Role As Mentor
Sawa, 48, says he took on the role of mentor. As the “old dog on set,” he became “more aware” of his behavior and worked to be “a good example” for his younger co-stars. That meant showing up on time and having his lines ready.
He singled out Jordan Leftwich, Malina Pauli Weissman, and Ora Duplass for praise. Weissman plays witch-in-training Briar, Leftwich plays Sasha, and Duplass plays Tegan.
Serious Jordan, Seasoned Malina
Sawa described Jordan as very serious on set, comparing her to Jessica Alba on Idle Hands. “She’s very serious, very focused, wants to do this thing,” he said.
Malina, he noted, has been doing this for a long time. “You can tell,” he said.
The Review Box Of Old
Sawa recalled the difference between his own early fame and theirs. He did Now and Then, then returned home for a year of school.
“There was no social media. Nobody could get ahold of me,” he said.
His agents and managers sent him only positive reviews, packed in a FedEx box. “I’d get a box of just good reviews,” he remembered. “Everything I got was positive.”
Now, he said, fans can reach out directly through direct messages and comments. “I don’t know how I’d do it.”
The Young Stars Speak Up
Leftwich, Weissman, and Duplass all spoke warmly about Sawa during a separate chat with DECIDER. Weissman described him as “such a grounded, chill guy” who she feels like she “really got to know post-filming.”
“When we did get our first scene with him, I was so excited,” she added. “He’s just such a great actor and such a great person to collaborate with in a scene.”
Duplass recalled Sawa making things “super light” while shooting an “intense” scene in the finale. Leftwich said she got the chance to talk about “relationship problems” with Sawa, Thiessen, and BJ Harrison, who plays Agnes.
“Everyone was just like, ‘So Jordan, what’s up? What’s going on?’ And you know, it was really nice!” she shared.
“We’re all so different, too—I think in real life, and our characters—we’re all so different, but come together in a really great way,” Weissman added.
A Bond Formed On Screen
The three actresses did not know each other before filming. Duplass commended Federle for his “specific” casting, noting that their trio “really balances each other out in this really beautiful way.”
“Casting was long to try and find these three characters,” she continued. “So we didn’t have to try hard to click, as well, because that magic was already kind of there. We formed something so beautiful onscreen, but I think offscreen, as well, was just really beautiful.”
The Premiere Details
Coven Academy premieres tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Freeform. The entire season will be available to stream on Friday, Oct. 2 on Disney+ and Hulu.
The Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Tonight | 8 p.m. ET/PT | Coven Academy premieres on Freeform |
| Fri, Oct. 2 | Full season | Available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu |
Our View
Sawa’s stories about the FedEx box of good reviews land as genuine reflection, not marketing speak. The young actresses praising him feel the same way — warm, specific, and honest.
This is a cast that clearly bonded off screen as much as on it. The premiere tonight gives viewers the chance to see what they built together.
Source material: “Devon Sawa Says His Young ‘Coven Academy’ Co-Stars Have “Grown Some Thick Skin” Navigating Fame In An Era of Social Media: “I Don’t Know How I’d Do It”,” Decider.
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