20 Things We Know So Far About The Sabrina The Teenage Witch Reboot
Hooray, it is almost Halloween, which means it is time for pumpkin spice lattes and Netflix nights. You know what else that means? Fall's most anticipated show, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, is finally going to commence. And it's about time―we have waited over 20 years to hear of Sabrina Spellman again. This show will certainly prove to us that we may have 99 problems, but a witch ain't one.
When we heard that Netflix confirmed they'd be releasing a reboot of the beloved cult classic, Sabrina: the Teenage Witch, our nostalgia went through the roof. We ran quickly into the broom cupboard to go back into time ― or not. After all, only Sabrina Spellman could have zapped herself into another realm.
Everything old is new nowadays, as reboots of '90s sitcoms have now become the new and the biggest craze. And honestly, who does not love seeing the reincarnation of their most loved TV shows and characters?
We've all been waiting years to see Sabrina, the witty Salem, and the most awesome aunts Hilda and Zelda grace our screens again. And now, since everyone's favorite teenage witch is returning to screens, we thought we'd find out all there is to know about the reboot we've been hopping on broomsticks for.
20 The Reboot Will Be Just As Fantastic As Riverdale
We know we are going to be in for a wild ride with the Sabrina 2.0 we have been anticipating, and as the title of the show itself says, chills will be upon us. And, we have great news―if you are unsure of the reboot, stay calm and keep snapping your fingers because it is said to be just as great as the hit series Riverdale. Why?
The new series revolving around Sabrina Spellman's life was written by showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who is a part of the awesome Riverdale team.
If Riverdale did a phenomenal job, you can only imagine what we are in for with the half-witch and half-mortal Sabrina.
19 When Did Filming Begin?
Nowadays with social media, it is so easy to find spilled information or to be teased with promo images. We still remember our gasp when we saw a photo on Instagram of a comic of our favorite teenage witch, introducing her to the "team" by the Riverdale showrunner.
After that, speculations arose, and we instantly wanted all the information because we had no idea what the clue meant. Many speculated that Sabrina was to make a cameo in Riverdale, but little did we know. It was in September 2017 that the news broke of the spin-off, and we were informed that filming of Sabrina 2.0 began in March 2018, in Vancouver like Riverdale.
18 Who Is Our New Teenage Witch?
We are so glad and grateful that the writers of Riverdale expanded, and we cannot doubt the fact that we'd do anything to be a part of this show.
Who would not want to have Sabrina Spellman's special witchy powers, talking cat, and broom?
Well, in January, while we were all hoping the memorable teenage witch that stole our hearts, Melissa Joan Hart, would return for the role, we were informed that actress Kiernan Shipka from Mad Men was to take on the witch zapping. We sense a lot of fame coming her way after she shows how well she can cast her spells.
17 And What About Her Mortal BF?
If there was any character who put us under a spell in Sabrina: the Teenage Witch, it was Sabrina's mortal hunk Harvey, who, if you recall, she ended up with in the end. Now, over 20 years later, the hunky Harvey still has us under his spell. However, if you are wondering if it is still the same Harvey who swept us off our feet with his motorcycle―actor Nate Richert―it isn't. That being said, it is time to make way for a new heartthrob―Ross Lynch―who will hopefully live up to the earlier Harvey's heartthrob reputation.
16 What Is It Based On?
If you're expecting a storyline that is as humorous as the '90s classic sitcom, which had some of the most memorable and iconic lines, then it is time to rinse your eyes with water and forget the past.
If you asked us if the storyline is the same and want a short and sweet response, then we just have to tell you, no.
The reboot series will not be based on the original comic book series. Instead, it will focus on the revised comic book series from 2014, which is way more chilling and much less happy-go-lucky.
15 You Won't Be Laughing
You might be asking yourself, "so wait, if it won't follow the same storyline as the original, then what will the storyline be?" We've got an answer for you, but it's completely evident from the title of the spin-off itself. The series that we will all be glued to the television watching (unless you're a scaredy-cat) will tell a story that is somber. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina will have us all in for a broom ride with their ultimately dark storyline and menacing tone. Who knew the comical series would have come back as a dark one?
14 What About Melissa Joan Hart?
We fell in love with Sabrina Spellman because of Melissa Joan Hart's unique, impeccable, and sassy acting.
But since we won't be seeing her on screen again and following her journey as an actress, we have been wondering what her take is on the darker show.
After all, Hart captured our hearts as the teenage witch who loved to cast spells and bite back at her arch nemesis, so we were interested in what she had to say. Hart expressed to E!News her thoughts, saying: “I think what they're doing is smart, doing like the darker version. I think it's going to be more like Buffy the Vampire Slayer than the Sabrina that most people know.”
13 What Is The Show About?
If the show is going to have a much darker tone, is it even based on the original series that commenced in 1996 and forever made our days brighter? Hardly, and very loosely at that. The sitcom that ran for seven seasons barely influenced the reincarnation of the witch show, as it will not be as lighthearted. Why? Basically, the reboot, according to sources splashed all over social media will be a “dark coming-of-age tale that traffics in horror, the occult and witchcraft.” If that does not scare you enough, we want to let you know that it is also being compared to Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist.
12 Welcome Ambrose
We would probably be the best mortal friends Sabrina could have, and we wish we could be, as we all know how important her family and friends are to her. Like the original series, Sabrina's family plays an integral role in the show, and that extends to more than her beloved aunts and talking cat.
We were informed that Sabrina would have more than her aunts around her in the reboot.
Sabrina's cousin, Ambrose, who according to the Sabrinanetflix Instagram page is the "wicked warlock cousin we all deserve," is played by Chance Perdomo. And guess what? He is the newest addition to the Spellman household.
11 Will Sabrina Have Another Arch Nemesis?
Along with a show that will have a dark storyline, Sabrina will have more than good ol' Libby Chessler as her nemesis. Libby was the Queen Bee and Sabrina's enemy in the original. In the all-new twist of the show that will send chills up our spine, Spellman will be facing a new round of antagonists. It would not be a thriller without a couple of villains added to the mix, right? There is said to be Mary Wardell, played by Michelle Gomez, who will quickly turn from her favorite professor to Madam Satan. She'll also face off against people just like her, aka other witches, that will be a trio known as the Weird Sisters.
10 Not One, But Two
If you have not been hiding under a rock, chances are, you know that you can catch the Sabrina reboot on the streaming service Netflix. When it was first announced, the team informed us that the show was titled Sabrina and it was a series developed for the CW Network.
However, that all changed in December when it was confirmed we could catch it on the small screen on Netflix.
If you knew that, we have even greater witch news; Netflix greenlit two back-to-back seasons of Sabrina 2.0, totaling 20 episodes. This means if you become obsessed, you won't have to wait long before the adventures continue.
9 Will Salem Be Sassy?
Do not fret guys, we did not forget the most iconic feline of all time, Sabrina's furry confidante Salem. Sabrina didn't need friends in the '90s since she always had her sassy Salem there by her side to annoy her with all sorts of sarcasm. If you recall, in the original cult classic, Salem was a witch sentenced to live as a cat. Salem will forever live on as an icon; a cat full of wit and memorable lines. However, since the reboot will be a much different show, Salem will be completely different. In fact, the show's Twitter account described Salem as "the best demon a witch could ask for."
8 Salem 2.0
Wait, there is more! Salem is too iconic of a character to only have one entry on him. As Halloween is approaching, we decided we'd be gravediggers and find out the most we could about our favorite talking cat.
On top of the fact that they did something entirely different with Salem, we also found out he might be that black cat you do not want to cross paths with―so beware!
In a trailer of the show released, Salem appears by jumping through Sabrina's window one dark night. Firstly, he seems scary in this trailer, and secondly, it is a real cat. Actually, we also found out three different cats will take on the role of Sabrina's feline companion.
7 It Won't Be A Family Comedy
Tease after tease is what has been delivered to us upon the release of the show, and if you have been following up closely, you may have noticed one thing in particular. What are we talking about? Since summer, screenshots of the show have taken over social media, and the one thing that constantly reappears is a forest. Contrary to the family comedy that took place between home and school, the Sabrina reboot displays a show that is heavily located in the very dark woods. In fact, with a red cape and hat on Sabrina, the show may be hinting some Little Red Riding Hood influences. We are looking forward to some very murky forest scenes!.
6 And On The First Episode…
The show starts October 26th, the weekend before Halloween, and with such hallow timing, do not expect the first episode to make you giggle. It will be gloomy just the way the witch world likes it!
The first episode will be entirely about Sabrina's thrilling "baptism."
Remember in the original, it was at her 16th birthday that she was told she was a witch? Well, Shipka revealed in an interview that the entry into the dark Sabrina's world will take place on the eve of her 16th birthday. Eek―we will see Sabrina give away her mortality―now that is what we call a “Sweet” Sixteen.
5 How Will Sabrina Be?
Thanks to our girl Shipka, we know a little bit more about the Sabrina that is going to make her way through life in a darker world. The OG Sabrina was 16 and in high school, and so will be the reincarnation of Sabrina. Shipka said in an interview that Sabrina will be involved in school like her old-self and will run a club for her mortal friends in her high school called the Women's Intersectional Cultural and Creative Association. We already know that she is going to give herself up to Satan, so this seems like Sabrina's stance for feminism.
4 They Didn't Forget Our Favorite Aunts
The reboot would evidently not be complete without the world's coolest aunts, Hilda and Zelda. Sabrina certainly had the best parenting with those two, but guess what? They are back for Sabrina 2.0.
Aunt Hilda was previously played by Caroline Rhea, but it is now Lucy Davis who will reincarnate the role, and Aunt Zelda was previously played by Beth Broderick will now have the Lord of the Rings alum Miranda Otto taking her place.
However, there has been a little change-up; Zelda will be much more controlling and the sterner aunt, while Hilda will be motherly and loving.
3 Greendale And Riverdale
We know that as soon as you discovered, that CAOS will be run by the same showrunner as Riverdale, you have been constantly thinking of a crossover between Riverdale and Greendale. Notice how the Sabrina reboot's show name initials are CAOS― we truly think we are in for chaos. Now, why have Riverdale fans been speculating the two universes might combine? Because in Riverdale's "Chapter Twenty: Tales from the Darkside," we were exposed to the petrifying neighboring city, Greendale. Lynch told Entertainment Tonight, "There's no talks of a crossover right now." Who knows what the future has in store though!
2 Sabrina's BFF
We all love seeing fresh new faces, and we are sure the residents of Greendale are honored to be a part of it. We are still unsure if we will see Sabrina turn Libby Chessler into a goat or pineapple again, as no news has been released on the reprisal of the Queen Bee's role. But Sabrina will have her mortal best friends by her side.
However, since the show is not based on the original Sabrina comics, her besties will be entirely new to us.
Jaz Sinclair, famous for her role in The Vampire Diaries, will play the 2014 comic character Rosalind Walker aka Sabrina's best friend. Beware: she is highly outspoken.
1 Sabrina Won't Get Away Easily
If you are going to binge-watch this show, which is going to air just in time for Halloween, then prepare to be truly spooked―don't say we didn't warn you. And since the show is going to hail from the dark side, then there have to be some creepier Greendale residents. Queue another new face, Father Blackwood, who will be played by actor Richard Coyle. We do not have to say much as his bio perfectly describes the chaos (or CAOS) he will bring to the show; he is a High Priest in the Church of Night. That says it all.