‘Coven Academy’ Season 1 Finale Explained: Who Killed Briar’s Mother and Is Miss Graves Briar’s Mother?

The first season of the supernatural drama "Coven Academy" has concluded, leaving viewers with several bombshell revelations about the characters and their intertwined fates. The series, streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, follows students at Crescent Veil, a school for witches and warlocks, as they navigate magic, friendships, and dark secrets. The season finale delved into the mystery surrounding Briar's mother's death and revealed unexpected connections between the characters.

The Killer and Briar's Mother Revealed

Throughout season one, the identity of Briar's mother, Mary, and the circumstances of her death were a central mystery. By the 21st episode, "After the Ashes," it was revealed that Mary was killed by William Bixton, a former classmate with a penchant for dark magic. William had shape-shifted into Miss Emma Graves, a staff member at Crescent Veil, and used her form to commit the murder. However, his deception ran deeper, as he had also impersonated Mr. Cole, another staff member, for most of the season, holding the real Mr. Cole captive and stripping him of his powers.

William's motive stemmed from a past conflict at Crescent Veil. He had sought to corrupt magic by poisoning ley lines, a plan that Mary, along with Emma and Tamora, thwarted by casting a spell on him. To protect Mary, they lied to the coven council, leading to William being stripped of his powers. In his pursuit of revenge, William killed Tamora and Mary and intended to harm Miss Graves.

Miss Graves' True Identity

The season finale also unveiled a significant twist regarding Miss Graves' connection to Briar. While speaking with the spirit of the deceased Mary, Miss Graves revealed that she is, in fact, Briar's birth mother. Mary had given Briar up for protection, and Miss Graves felt Briar deserved to know the truth. The on-screen chemistry between Tiffani Thiessen (Miss Graves) and Malina Pauli Weissman (Briar) hinted at this connection, with Weissman noting that their scenes had a natural pull and that Thiessen had been planning this reveal from the start.

Romantic Entanglements

The season also explored Briar's romantic interests, primarily between Jake, a fellow student, and Ollie, a vampire. Initially, Jake and Ollie were rivals, with Jake expressing concern over Ollie's vampiric nature and his potential danger to Briar. Despite their differences and Ollie's struggles with his thirst for blood, he showed a protective side, even rescuing Jake from William. In the end, Briar shared a near-kiss with Jake, but decided against it. Later, she received a rose and a note from Ollie, expressing his hope to find the strength to be with her and keep her safe.

Weissman expressed her own indecision about Briar's romantic choices, stating she was "Team Briar" and eager to see how the character navigates her feelings in a potential second season.

Future of 'Coven Academy'

As of the season finale's release, "Coven Academy" had not yet been renewed for a second season. However, the series has received positive reception, with critics noting its fast pace and the chemistry among the lead actors. Devon Sawa, who plays Mr. Cole (William in disguise), expressed hope that a second season would delve deeper into his character's backstory and explore his developing relationship with Miss Graves.