Honestly, most people completely forget that before the iconic 1990s sitcom ever hit ABC, there was a movie. A weird, slightly moody, Canadian-shot TV film that aired on Showtime in early 1996. If you grew up with Melissa Joan Hart as the definitive Sabrina, you might be shocked to learn that the Sabrina the Teenage Witch film cast looks nothing like the one from the show.
Well, mostly.
The movie feels like a fever dream now. It was filmed in British Columbia, and it didn’t even take place in Westbridge. Instead, the story landed in Riverdale—yes, the same Archie Comics town we now associate with Cole Sprouse and dark, rainy mysteries. But back in '96, it was just a backdrop for a girl named Sabrina Sawyer. Not Spellman. Sawyer. Talk about a confusing retcon.
The Big Names You Missed
You probably know Melissa Joan Hart stayed for the series. She was the anchor. But did you know a very young, very "hunky" Ryan Reynolds played her love interest? He wasn’t Harvey Kinkle. He played a guy named Seth.
Reynolds wasn't exactly the Deadpool-level charmer we know today. He played the high school heartthrob who was, frankly, a bit of a jerk. Sabrina spends most of the movie pining for him, while the "real" Harvey (played by Tobias Mehler) sits in the background being the sweet, ignored nerd. It is wild to see Reynolds in a denim jacket, looking like he just stepped out of a Gap catalog, years before he became a global superstar.
Why the Aunts Changed
If you’re looking for the witty, fashion-forward duo of Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick, you won’t find them in the film. The Sabrina the Teenage Witch film cast featured Sherry Miller as Aunt Hilda and Charlene Fernetz as Aunt Zelda.
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They were fine. Honestly. But they lacked that specific "odd couple" chemistry that made the TV show aunts so legendary.
- Sherry Miller (Hilda): She played a much more grounded version of the impulsive aunt.
- Charlene Fernetz (Zelda): She was the "serious" one, but without the scientific edge Beth Broderick brought later.
When the show was greenlit for a full series, the producers decided to recast almost everyone. They wanted a lighter, punchier sitcom vibe. The movie was a bit more of a "coming-of-age" drama with magic sprinkled on top, whereas the show was a pure comedy.
The Mystery of the Best Friend
Michelle Beaudoin is the only other actor besides Melissa Joan Hart to make the jump from the movie to the series. But even she wasn't safe from the "Riverdale-to-Westbridge" identity crisis. In the movie, she plays a character named Marnie Littlefield. When the show started, she was suddenly Jenny Kelley.
Same actress. Completely different name. Nobody ever explained why.
Where Are They Now?
The trajectories of the Sabrina the Teenage Witch film cast are all over the map. Ryan Reynolds is obviously a billionaire mogul at this point. Melissa Joan Hart has become the queen of Christmas movies and successful directing stints.
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But what about the others?
- Tobias Mehler (The Movie Harvey): He didn't get the TV gig (Nate Richert famously took over), but he had a solid career in sci-fi, appearing in Stargate SG-1 and Battlestar Galactica.
- Lalainia Lindbjerg (Katie La More): She played the "mean girl" in the movie. You might recognize her voice—she’s done a ton of voice work for Dragon Ball Z and My Little Pony.
- Charlene Fernetz: She stepped away from acting in the mid-2000s. Her last big credits were in the late 90s and early 2000s on shows like Seven Days.
The Talking Cat Dilemma
We have to talk about Salem. In the movie, Salem Saberhagen was still a cat, but he was much less of a "character." He didn't have that sarcastic, world-dominating wit provided by Nick Bakay in the sitcom.
In the film, Salem was voiced by Brian Steele (uncredited). He felt more like a background prop than the scene-stealing icon we eventually got. It’s one of the biggest reasons the movie feels so "off" to fans of the series. The cat just doesn't talk enough!
A Different Kind of Magic
The movie relied on 1996 TV-budget special effects. There’s a scene where Sabrina turns her rival, Katie, into a poodle. It’s peak 90s. While the show used a lot of practical effects and "poofing" sounds, the movie tried a bit harder to feel "real," which ironically makes it look more dated today.
Looking Back at the Legacy
Is the 1996 film worth a re-watch? If you're a die-hard fan, absolutely. It’s a fascinating time capsule. It shows a version of the Sabrina mythos that almost was.
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If you're looking for the cast members today, your best bet is following Melissa Joan Hart’s social media, where she occasionally does "then and now" posts. Most of the movie-only cast has faded into "working actor" obscurity or retired entirely.
If you want to track down the original film, it often pops up on streaming services like Tubi or Pluto TV. It’s usually listed simply as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which makes it easy to confuse with the show. Just look for the one where Ryan Reynolds is wearing way too much hair gel.
If you’re planning a 90s nostalgia marathon, start with the movie first. It makes the transition to the sitcom feel like a massive upgrade in energy and humor. You'll appreciate the casting of Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick so much more after seeing the more "serious" aunts from the pilot film.
Check your local streaming listings or physical media collections for the Showtime original version to see where the magic actually started. It’s a weird, wild ride through a Riverdale that existed long before the CW got their hands on it.
Actionable Insight: To see the differences for yourself, watch the first 10 minutes of the 1996 film and compare it immediately to the pilot episode of the TV series. Pay close attention to the tone shift in the aunts' performances—it’s a masterclass in how casting changes the entire "soul" of a project.