Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV series) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Season 1–3 intertitle
Genre	Fantasy Supernatural Sitcom
Created by	Nell Scovell
Developed by	Jonathan Schmock
Starring	Melissa Joan Hart Caroline Rhea Beth Broderick Nate Richert Jenna Leigh Green Michelle Beaudoin Paul Feig Lindsay Sloane Alimi Ballard Martin Mull China Jesusita Shavers David Lascher Jon Huertas Trevor Lissauer Elisa Donovan Soleil Moon Frye Andrew Walker Bumper Robinson John Ducey Diana-Maria Riva
Voices of	Nick Bakay
Theme music composer	Danny Lux (entire run) Paul Taylor (seasons 5–7)
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	7
No. of episodes	163 (+ 3 television films) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Paula Hart Nell Scovell (1996–1997) Miriam Trogdon (1997–2000) Carrie Honigblum & Renee Phillips (1999–2000) Bruce Ferber (2000–2002) David Babcock (2002–2003)
Running time	22 minutes
Production company(s)	Archie Comics Hartbreak Films Finishing the Hat Productions (season 1) Viacom Productions
Distributor	Paramount Domestic Television
Release
Original network	ABC (1996–2000) The WB (2000–2003)
Picture format	NTSC
Audio format	Stereo surround sound
Original release	September 27, 1996 (1996-09-27) – April 24, 2003 (2003-04-24)
Chronology
Related shows	Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Acemi Cadı

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a fun American TV show about a young witch. It's a sitcom, which means it's a funny show with a lot of jokes. The show was created by Nell Scovell. It's based on the popular Archie Comics series about Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

The show first aired on Friday, September 27, 1996, on the ABC network. It was part of their popular "T.G.I.F." lineup. Many people watched it, with over 17 million viewers for its first episode!

The main star is Melissa Joan Hart, who plays an American teenager named Sabrina Spellman. On her 16th birthday, Sabrina finds out she has magical powers. This is a bit different from the comic books, where she knew about her powers much earlier. Sabrina lives with her two aunts, Hilda (played by Caroline Rhea) and Zelda (played by Beth Broderick). They are both 600-year-old witches! They also live with their magical talking cat, Salem (voiced by Nick Bakay). Their home is at 133 Collins Road in a made-up town called Westbridge, which is near Boston, Massachusetts.

The first four seasons of Sabrina were shown on ABC. This was from September 27, 1996, to May 5, 2000. The last three seasons moved to The WB network. They aired from September 22, 2000, to April 24, 2003.

What the Show is About

The show follows the exciting life of Sabrina Spellman, played by Melissa Joan Hart. She learns she is a witch on her 16th birthday. Since she's new to magic, her spells often don't go as planned! Her witch aunts, Hilda and Zelda Spellman, help her. They teach her how to use her magic correctly and give her advice.

Hilda and Zelda also look after Salem Saberhagen. Salem is a witch who was turned into a cat. This happened because he tried to take over the world! The show was often compared to the older TV series Bewitched because of its magical and funny style.

The show often included references to popular culture of the time. Sabrina would mention liking singers like Britney Spears and bands like No Doubt. It also mixed human history with witch history. For example, Zelda tells Sabrina that the Salem witch hunt was not about real witches. Hilda even jokes that a bunny once ruled England, and the witches' council had to turn back time! One episode even suggested that TV host Jerry Springer might be a witch.

While the original comic books are set in a town called Greendale, the TV show takes place in the fictional town of Westbridge, Massachusetts. The show ran for seven years and had seven seasons.

Sabrina's Journey: Season by Season

Season 1 (1996–1997)

The first episode starts with Sabrina floating above her bed on her 16th birthday. Her aunts tell her she's a witch, but she doesn't believe them at first. Then, she talks to her father through a magical book. He tells her he's a witch and her mom is a mortal. Sabrina can't see her mom for two years, or her mom will turn into a ball of wax!

After a tough day at school, Sabrina accidentally turns Libby Chessler, the most popular girl, into a pineapple. Sabrina wants to impress her crush, Harvey Kinkle. So, she asks the witches' council to let her live the day again. This season shows Sabrina trying to balance being a normal teenager with having magical powers. Sabrina's friend Jenny Kelley and her teacher, Mr. Pool, leave the show after this season without explanation.

Season 2 (1997–1998)

Libby, Sabrina, Harvey, and Valerie

In Season 2, Sabrina turns 17. She learns she needs to get her witch's license or lose her magic. She doesn't study for the test and fails it. So, Sabrina has to go to witch boot camp! She passes her makeup test but only gets a learner's permit. Her aunts explain she'll get her full license at 18. A witch named Quizmaster Albert (Alimi Ballard) tests her throughout the year.

This season also introduces Sabrina's nervous friend Valerie. Plus, there's a new vice principal, Mr. Kraft. He thinks Sabrina is very strange and has a crush on Hilda.

Season 3 (1998–1999)

At the start of Season 3, Sabrina finally gets her witch's license! But there's a catch: to use it, she must solve her family's secret. Throughout the season, different family members visit and give her clues. By the end of the season, she solves it: every Spellman is born with a twin! With the secret solved, Sabrina can now fully use her magic.

Season 4 (1999–2000)

Season 4 begins with news that Valerie has moved away, and Libby has gone to boarding school. As part of her witch's license, Sabrina becomes a mentor to Dreama. Dreama is a new witch from the Other Realm. A new student, Brad Alcero, joins Sabrina's school. Brad is Harvey's best friend. He has a special "witch-hunter gene." This means he can turn a witch into a mouse if they use magic in front of him! Sabrina has to be very careful not to use magic around Brad.

Sabrina also starts working at a coffee shop called "Bean There, Brewed That." She meets Josh (played by David Lascher), a college student who manages the shop. Sabrina likes Josh, and after they kiss, Harvey breaks up with her. They get back together later. Both Dreama and Brad leave the show during this season. At the end of the season, Harvey becomes immune to magic. He finds out Sabrina is a witch and confronts her.

Season 5 (2000–2001)

In Season 5, Sabrina starts college at Adams College. She moves out of her aunts' house and into a house with other students. Harvey broke up with Sabrina after learning she was a witch. He went to a different college but later calls her to make up. Sabrina's roommates are Morgan Cavanaugh (played by Elisa Donovan), who loves fashion, and Roxie King (played by Soleil Moon Frye), who is a strong activist. There's also Miles Goodman (played by Trevor Lissauer), a science fiction fan.

Hilda and Zelda miss Sabrina. Hilda buys the coffee shop where Sabrina works. Zelda becomes a professor at Adams College and starts dating Sabrina's English professor. The season ends with Sabrina and Josh finally sharing a passionate kiss.

Season 6 (2001–2002)

Season 6 begins with Sabrina and Josh together. But they face a tough choice when Josh gets a chance to work as a photographer abroad. Things get more complicated when Harvey returns, and he's dating Morgan! At the end of the season, Sabrina sacrifices her true love to save Hilda. Hilda gets married, but Sabrina is heartbroken. Josh, Harvey, and another attractive waiter all announce they are moving away. The season ends with a cliffhanger: Sabrina turns to stone and falls to pieces!

Season 7 (2002–2003)

In the seventh and final season, Sabrina is put back together. Zelda sacrifices her adult years to save Sabrina. Zelda and Hilda move to the Other Realm. Miles also disappears. Sabrina moves back into her aunts' house with Morgan and Roxie. Sabrina gets a job as a writer for a magazine called Scorch. This storyline changes midway through the season.

Sabrina then meets Aaron, and they get engaged. In the very last episode, Sabrina calls off her wedding to Aaron. She runs off with her soulmate, Harvey! They meet at 12:36 p.m., the exact time they first met in Season 1. In the final scene, Sabrina and Harvey ride off on his motorcycle. The song "Running" by No Doubt, Sabrina's favorite band, plays as they leave.

Meet the Characters

• Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman: She's the main character who finds out she's a witch at 16. She often causes chaos as she learns to control her magic. Sabrina lives with her aunts, then moves to college dorms, and later back to her aunts' house.
• Caroline Rhea as Hilda Spellman (seasons 1–6, guest season 7): One of Sabrina's aunts. Hilda is more impulsive and less serious than Zelda. She buys a clock shop, then later the coffee shop where Sabrina works. She gets married at the end of Season 6 and moves away, but returns for the final episode.
• Beth Broderick as Zelda Spellman (seasons 1–6, guest season 7): Sabrina's other aunt and Hilda's older sister. Zelda is a scientist and college professor. She's the more logical one and often gives good advice. At the end of Season 6, she gives up her maturity to save Sabrina. She appears as a candle in the last episode.
• Nick Bakay as Salem Saberhagen (Voice): A 500-year-old witch who was turned into a talking cat. This was his punishment for trying to take over the world! He's the only character, besides Sabrina, who appears in every episode.
• Nate Richert as Harvey Kinkle (seasons 1–4 and 6–7, cameos in season 5): Sabrina's boyfriend for the first four seasons. He breaks up with her when he learns she's a witch. In the series finale, he's revealed to be her soulmate, and they run off together.
• Jenna Leigh Green as Libby Chessler (seasons 1–3): Sabrina's main rival in high school. Libby is a spoiled cheerleader who often calls Sabrina a "Freak." She likes Harvey and tries to date him. Libby goes to boarding school after Season 3.
• Michelle Beaudoin as Jenny Kelley (season 1): Sabrina's best friend in high school during the first season. She disappears after Season 1 without explanation.
• Paul Feig as Mr. Eugene Pool (season 1): Sabrina's biology teacher in the first season. He was sarcastic but interesting. He also disappears after Season 1.
• Lindsay Sloane as Valerie Birkhead (seasons 2–3): Sabrina's best friend starting in Season 2. She's a bit insecure but becomes more confident with Sabrina's help. She finds out Sabrina is a witch. Valerie moves to Alaska at the start of Season 4.
• Martin Mull as Willard Kraft (seasons 2–4): The vice principal, then principal, of Sabrina's high school. He is sometimes Hilda and Zelda's boyfriend. He leaves the show after Season 4.
• David Lascher as Josh Blackhart (seasons 4–6): Sabrina's co-worker at the coffee shop and later a love interest. He wants to be a photographer. His relationship with Sabrina is complicated. He leaves for Prague at the end of Season 6.
• Jon Huertas as Brad Alcerro (season 4): A new student who is Harvey's best friend. He has a secret witch-hunter gene, which makes him dislike Sabrina. He loses his gene through an operation.
• China Shavers as Dreama (season 4): A new witch from the Other Realm. Sabrina becomes her mentor and teaches her to control her magic. She is not mentioned after Season 4.
• Soleil Moon Frye as Roxie King (seasons 5–7): Sabrina's mortal roommate in college. She's an activist with a cynical sense of humor. She becomes a close friend to Sabrina.
• Elisa Donovan as Morgan Cavanaugh (seasons 5–7): Sabrina's other college roommate. She's a talented fashion designer and a good friend, but can sometimes be shallow.
• Trevor Lissauer as Miles Goodman (seasons 5–6): Sabrina's college roommate. He's a good-hearted nerd who loves all things supernatural. He often almost discovers Sabrina's secret. He is not seen or mentioned after graduation.

How the Show Was Made

The idea for the TV series came from an earlier TV movie in April 1996. This movie was also called Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Melissa Joan Hart played Sabrina in that movie too. But her aunts, Zelda and Hilda, were played by different actresses. When the TV series started on ABC, Beth Broderick and Caroline Rhea took over the roles of Zelda and Hilda.

In 2000, ABC stopped showing the series. But The WB network picked it up! When fewer people started watching, the show was canceled after seven seasons. The TV series was made by Hartbreak Films and Viacom Productions.

Opening Sequence Fun Facts

The opening titles changed a few times over the years.

Seasons 1-3

For the first three seasons, Sabrina would pose in front of a mirror in four different outfits. The first three outfits were always the same, but the fourth one changed in each episode! At the end, Sabrina would say something funny related to her last costume, then magically disappear.

Season 4

The opening changed for Season 4. It had a new song and showed the main characters, including Sabrina, floating in bubbles. Their names appeared in gold letters.

Seasons 5-7

The final three seasons had a new song and showed Sabrina in different places around Boston. These included the Harvard Bridge, Boston Common, and Quincy Market. In Seasons 5 and 6, Sabrina would magically appear in her room next to Salem. In the final season, she would appear walking into her house to greet Roxie, Morgan, and Salem.

The house shown as the Spellman residence is a real Victorian mansion in Freehold, New Jersey. The outside shots of Westbridge High School were filmed at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey.

Characters Leaving the Show

Many actors left the show over the years.

• Sabrina's best friend Jenny Kelly (Michelle Beaudoin) and her teacher Mr. Pool (Paul Feig) left after the first season without explanation.
• Valerie and Libby left at the start of Season 4. Valerie moved to Alaska, and Libby went to boarding school.
• After Season 4, Martin Mull (Mr. Kraft) and Nate Richert (Harvey) left. Harvey's character was removed to give the show a new feel as Sabrina went to college. But fans missed him, so he came back for three episodes in Season 5 and then as a regular in Seasons 6 and 7.
• After Season 6, Caroline Rhea (Hilda) and Beth Broderick (Zelda) decided to leave. Their roles became less important when Sabrina went to college. Beth felt her role as Zelda had nothing new to offer. Caroline got her own talk show.
• Trevor Lissauer, who played Miles, left after Seasons 5 and 6. His character wasn't very popular, and the show needed to save money for the final season. Miles's departure was never explained.
• Sabrina's love interest Josh, played by David Lascher, left for Prague after Seasons 4 through 6. To fill his spot, the show brought in Aaron, played by Dylan Neal, for the final season.

Where to Watch the Show

The show was first on ABC for four years. Then, The WB network picked it up in 2000.

You can still watch reruns of Sabrina the Teenage Witch on different channels in the United States. It has aired on ABC Family, Nick at Nite, TeenNick, and MTV2. Currently, you can find it on Fuse and Rewind TV. You can also stream it online on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+.

In the United Kingdom, Sabrina used to be on ITV and Nickelodeon. It has also aired on Pop Girl and 4Music. In October 2021, the whole series became available to stream on Amazon Prime Video there.

In Australia, the show aired on Eleven. In Canada, you can stream it on Paramount+. In Russia, it was shown on "Russia" and STS.

Episodes and Ratings

List of Sabrina the Teenage Witch episodes

When Sabrina was on ABC, it was the most-watched show in their "TGIF" lineup. In 2000, ABC wanted to renew the show for a fifth season. But they didn't want to pay the high price that the production company, Viacom Productions, was asking for each episode. So, The WB network bought the show for a lower price and agreed to make 66 more episodes.

Other Sabrina Adventures

Video Games

You can also play video games based on Sabrina the Teenage Witch! Several games were released for computers and PlayStation.

Animated Series

There are also animated TV shows based on Sabrina!

• Sabrina: The Animated Series started airing during the live-action show's fourth season. In this cartoon, Melissa Joan Hart's younger sister, Emily Hart, voiced Sabrina. Melissa Joan Hart herself voiced both aunts, Hilda and Zelda.
• This animated series was followed by a TV movie called Sabrina: Friends Forever.
• Then came another series called Sabrina's Secret Life. Emily Hart and Melissa Joan Hart did not voice characters in these.
• A newer animated show, Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch, was made in 2013. In this version, Sabrina (voiced by Ashley Tisdale) is a witch princess learning to rule the Other Realm.

Images for kids

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  Libby, Sabrina, Harvey, and Valerie

See also

In Spanish: Sabrina the Teenage Witch (serie de televisión) para niños