The world of Sabrina Spellman is one of the most enduring and beloved in pop culture, yet it exists in two vastly different forms. As of December 2025, fans continue to debate the merits of the lighthearted, pun-filled 1990s sitcom versus the dark, horror-infused Netflix reboot. This deep-dive article cuts through the confusion to offer a comprehensive guide to every major character, actor, and shocking transformation across both the classic Sabrina the Teenage Witch and the modern Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (CAOS).
Whether you’re nostalgic for the days of talking cat Salem Saberhagen’s witty one-liners or fascinated by the sinister machinations of the Church of Night, understanding the core cast is essential. We break down the most recent information and character evolutions, highlighting the key players who shaped the magical town of Greendale and its inhabitants in both the sitcom and the streaming series.
The Core Cast of Both Worlds: 90s Sitcom vs. CAOS
The transition from a family-friendly ABC sitcom to a gritty, horror-based Netflix series required a complete overhaul of the classic characters. While the names remain the same, their personalities, histories, and roles in Sabrina’s life—and the fate of the world—changed drastically. Here is a comparison of the essential entities from both versions.
- Sabrina Spellman:
- 90s Sitcom (Melissa Joan Hart): A half-witch/half-mortal teenager who discovers her powers on her 16th birthday. Her journey is about learning to use magic responsibly, often with comedic, low-stakes consequences. She is defined by her relationship with Harvey Kinkle and navigating high school life at Westbridge High.
- CAOS (Kiernan Shipka): A powerful, headstrong witch struggling to reconcile her mortal life in Greendale with her destiny in the Church of Night. Her story is dark, involving pacts with the Dark Lord, literal trips to Hell, and a constant battle against the patriarchy of the occult world.
- Aunt Zelda Spellman:
- 90s Sitcom (Beth Broderick): The more sensible, intellectual, and cautious of the two aunts. A scientist and a witch, she often served as the moral compass and the voice of reason. She was a respected professor.
- CAOS (Miranda Otto): The stern, devout, and often ruthless High Priestess of the Church of Night. She is fiercely protective of Sabrina but deeply committed to the traditions of the coven, including her loyalty to Father Faustus Blackwood.
- Aunt Hilda Spellman:
- 90s Sitcom (Caroline Rhea): The goofy, impulsive, and fun-loving aunt. She often struggled with her own career path (from playing the violin to owning a clock shop) and provided much of the show's comic relief.
- CAOS (Lucy Davis): The kinder, more nurturing aunt, whose personality is closer to her sitcom counterpart but with a dark twist. She owns the Spellman Mortuary alongside Zelda and is a master potion-maker, though she faces constant abuse from her sister, Zelda, for her weaker witch abilities.
- Harvey Kinkle:
- 90s Sitcom (Nate Richert): Sabrina's quintessential mortal boyfriend. He is sweet, loyal, and mostly oblivious to the magical world, serving as the anchor to her mortal life.
- CAOS (Ross Lynch): An aspiring artist and Sabrina's first love. His family has a dark history with witches, making his relationship with Sabrina complicated and eventually tragic, as he becomes aware of the horrors of the occult world.
- Salem Saberhagen:
- 90s Sitcom (Nick Bakay - Voice): A 500-year-old witch sentenced to live as a talking house cat for trying to take over the world. He is a cynical, power-hungry, yet ultimately lovable sidekick known for his sarcastic commentary and love of tuna.
- CAOS: A silent, non-talking familiar. He is a demon sent by the Dark Lord to protect Sabrina, eventually taking the form of a black cat. This version is far less comedic and more of a genuine magical entity.
The Extended Universe of the Sitcom (1996–2003)
The original Sabrina the Teenage Witch sitcom, which ran for seven seasons, introduced a host of memorable supporting characters who grounded Sabrina's magical adventures in the mortal world. These characters often served as either friends, rivals, or comedic foils to Sabrina and her aunts.
Key Mortal and Magical Entities
- Libby Chessler (Jenna Leigh Green): Sabrina's primary rival and the stereotypical "mean girl" at Westbridge High. Libby was constantly attempting to undermine Sabrina's popularity and was often a target of Sabrina's early, clumsy spells.
- Valerie Birkhead (Lindsay Sloane): A friend introduced in Season 2 as a replacement for Jenny Kelley (who only appeared in Season 1). Valerie was often shy and insecure, providing a more relatable friend dynamic for Sabrina.
- Mr. Kraft (Martin Mull): The strict and perpetually exasperated vice principal and later principal of Westbridge High. He was a recurring love interest for both Hilda and Zelda, often finding himself unwittingly caught in the crosshairs of the aunts' magical mishaps.
- Willard the Witch Hunter (Carl Ballantine): A recurring, albeit minor, character who was constantly trying to prove that witches existed, adding a humorous layer of paranoia to the magical world.
- Josh (Nate Richert): A love interest for Sabrina later in the series, who worked at the local coffee shop, The Bean. His relationship with Sabrina complicated her feelings for Harvey.
- Morgan Cavanaugh (Elisa Donovan): One of Sabrina's college roommates, a fashion-focused and sometimes shallow character who offered a new dynamic outside of the Spellman home.
- Roxie King (Soleil Moon Frye): Sabrina's other, more cynical and politically active college roommate, who often challenged Sabrina's perspective.
The Occult Coven of Greendale: CAOS Characters
The Netflix series, which ran for four parts, expanded the magical world far beyond the sitcom's scope, introducing a vast array of powerful, often terrifying, characters from the Academy of Unseen Arts and the town of Greendale. These characters added layers of horror, romance, and political intrigue to the narrative.
The Coven and Occult Entities
- Ambrose Spellman (Chance Perdomo): Sabrina's pansexual, witty cousin, a powerful necromancer who is confined to the Spellman Mortuary as punishment for trying to blow up the Vatican. He serves as Sabrina's confidant and primary source of occult knowledge. Sadly, actor Chance Perdomo passed away in 2024, leaving a lasting legacy for the character.
- Mary Wardwell / Madam Satan (Michelle Gomez): Originally Sabrina's favorite mortal teacher, she is possessed by Madam Satan, the Dark Lord's handmaiden. This entity acts as a primary antagonist, manipulating Sabrina to fulfill the prophecy of becoming the Queen of Hell.
- Nicholas Scratch (Gavin Leatherwood): A talented warlock and student at the Academy of Unseen Arts who becomes a key love interest for Sabrina. He is often torn between his loyalty to the coven and his love for Sabrina, leading to significant personal sacrifices.
- Father Faustus Blackwood (Richard Coyle): The High Priest of the Church of Night and Dean of the Academy of Unseen Arts. He is a misogynistic and power-hungry villain who seeks to control Sabrina and the coven, often acting as the show's central human antagonist.
- The Weird Sisters (Prudence, Agatha, and Dorcas): A trio of powerful, often antagonistic, student witches at the Academy of Unseen Arts. Prudence Blackwood (Tati Gabrielle) is the most prominent, evolving from a rival to an occasional ally of Sabrina.
The Mortal Friends (The Fright Club)
Sabrina’s mortal friends in CAOS are far more involved in the occult world than their 90s counterparts. They form "The Fright Club," dedicated to investigating and combating supernatural threats in Greendale.
- Rosalind "Roz" Walker (Jaz Sinclair): One of Sabrina's best friends. She is initially skeptical but later discovers she possesses a power called "The Cunning," which allows her to see visions of the past and future.
- Theo Putnam (Lachlan Watson): Sabrina's other close friend, a transgender boy who is a vital member of The Fright Club. His character arc involves finding his identity and embracing his courage in the face of supernatural danger.
Topical Authority: The Legacy of Two Sabrinas
The enduring popularity of the "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" franchise is a testament to the strength of its core characters, even when drastically reinterpreted. The original series, with its focus on teen angst and lighthearted magic, cemented Melissa Joan Hart and Nick Bakay (as the voice of Salem) as iconic figures of 90s television. The recent news of Hart discussing why a full revival of the original sitcom is unlikely only solidifies its status as a beloved classic that stands on its own.
Conversely, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina carved out its own niche by embracing the darker roots of the Archie Comics source material. The CAOS version of Sabrina Spellman is a far more complex and morally ambiguous hero, navigating a world of demonic entities, the Academy of Unseen Arts, and the true meaning of the Dark Lord's influence. This modern interpretation allows for deeper exploration of themes like free will, destiny, and the power of sisterhood, ensuring the legacy of the characters continues to evolve for a new generation of fans.
The occasional crossover nods, such as the appearance of 90s Zelda actress Beth Broderick and Hilda actress Caroline Rhea in the CAOS series finale, demonstrate the deep respect for the original entities while acknowledging the distinct paths of the two universes.
Detail Author:
- Name : Prof. Thurman Grimes
- Username : skiles.ronaldo
- Email : kling.audra@hotmail.com
- Birthdate : 1976-12-20
- Address : 575 Berge Meadow Apt. 871 Croninville, CT 93061-8230
- Phone : +1-425-329-9647
- Company : Hirthe-Dach
- Job : Carpet Installer
- Bio : Exercitationem perferendis autem veritatis in ipsa voluptatem aut. Esse culpa dolor beatae. Ipsam sapiente atque nisi dolores quam assumenda. Earum iusto accusantium placeat.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/rennerl
- username : rennerl
- bio : Voluptatibus et laudantium molestiae libero. Ut vero ut ut iusto. Et neque molestias optio.
- followers : 4493
- following : 2122
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@luisrenner
- username : luisrenner
- bio : Mollitia expedita hic voluptas et.
- followers : 4686
- following : 1313