Devon Sawa Reflects on Young Co-Stars' Resilience Amidst Social Media Scrutiny
The veteran actor praised the 'thick skin' developed by the young cast of 'Coven Academy' in navigating the pressures of modern fame.
Veteran actor Devon Sawa has expressed admiration for the resilience of his young co-stars on the new Disney series "Coven Academy," noting their ability to develop a "thick skin" while navigating fame in the era of social media. Sawa, who stars alongside emerging talents Malina Pauli Weissman, Malachi Barton, Jordan Leftwich, and Ora Duplass, shared his observations during a recent interview.
Sawa, known for his roles in '90s films, drew a contrast between his own early career experiences and the current landscape for young actors. He recalled a time when feedback was more controlled, with agents sending only positive reviews via mail. "Now, you see fans have such access to them. They can drop into their DMs, they can write comments under their posts. I don’t know how I’d do it," Sawa stated.
He emphasized his intention to be a positive example on set, ensuring punctuality and preparedness. "As the 'old dog on set,' I became more aware of my behavior and set out to be a good example for my younger co-stars," he said.
The young cast members, in turn, spoke highly of Sawa. Malina Pauli Weissman described him as "such a grounded, chill guy" and a great collaborator. Ora Duplass recalled Sawa making an "intense" scene in the season finale "super light" with his humor, while Jordan Leftwich mentioned having conversations about personal matters with Sawa, Tiffani Thiessen, and BJ Harrison.
The camaraderie among the young actresses—Weissman, Leftwich, and Duplass—was also a significant theme. Having not known each other prior to filming, they quickly formed a strong bond, viewing each other as "new sisters/friends." Duplass credited the casting process for bringing them together, noting that their chemistry felt natural and that they "really balance each other out in this really beautiful way."
"Coven Academy," created by Tim Federle, premiered on Freeform on October 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The entire season became available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on October 2, 2026.