When you think of Sabrina Spellman, your brain probably jumps straight to a blonde girl in a choker or a dark-haired teen in a red coat. Honestly, it depends on whether you grew up on TGIF or Netflix. Most people assume there are only two "real" versions of the teenage witch, but the history of who played Sabrina Spellman is actually much weirder than that. We’re talking about a character that has been around since 1962, appearing in everything from live-action sitcoms to gritty horror reboots and even a handful of animated shows that most people have totally forgotten.
It’s not just a role; it’s a pop culture baton that’s been passed around for decades. Each actress didn't just play a part—they redefined what a "witch" meant for their specific generation.
The Face of a Generation: Melissa Joan Hart
If you were alive in the late ‘90s, Melissa Joan Hart was Sabrina. Period. Before she ever touched a magic wand on ABC, she was already a household name because of Clarissa Explains It All. But when she took on the role of Sabrina Spellman in the 1996 TV movie (which was actually a pilot for the show), she cemented herself as the ultimate "girl next door" with a secret.
Interestingly, that 1996 TV movie is kinda weird to look back on now. It aired on Showtime, not ABC, and Sabrina’s last name wasn't even Spellman yet—it was Sawyer! Ryan Reynolds was even in it as a love interest named Seth. Can you imagine? Once the show moved to ABC, things got more familiar. Hart played Sabrina for seven seasons, moving from high school to college and finally to the working world. She gave the character a quirky, fast-talking energy that made magic seem like a relatable (if annoying) suburban chore.
Hart's version was all about the "bippity-boppity-boo" of it all. It was light. It was funny. The stakes were usually things like "I accidentally turned my rival into a goat" or "my dress is stuck in another dimension." For millions of kids, she was the blueprint.
The Darker Side: Kiernan Shipka
Fast forward to 2018. Netflix decides they want to bring Sabrina back, but they aren't looking for a sitcom. They want blood, demons, and a "Dark Baptism." Enter Kiernan Shipka. Most people knew her as Sally Draper from Mad Men, where she grew up on screen as one of the most talented child actors in the business.
Shipka’s Sabrina Spellman was a massive departure from Hart’s. This Sabrina lived in Greendale, a town that felt like it was perpetually trapped in a foggy autumn evening. She wasn't just worried about her chemistry test; she was literally fighting the Dark Lord for her soul. Shipka brought a certain steeliness to the role. She was spunky, sure, but she was also kind of terrifying when she wanted to be.
What’s cool is that Shipka didn't stop when Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was cancelled in 2020. She actually brought the character over to Riverdale for a few crossover episodes in 2021 and 2022. It officially linked the "Archieverse" together, proving that her version of Sabrina was the undisputed queen of supernatural Greendale.
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The Voices You Didn't Know You Knew
The live-action stars get all the glory, but the animated history of who played Sabrina Spellman is where things get really interesting. Back in the 1970s, Jane Webb was the voice of Sabrina in the original Filmation cartoons like Sabrina and the Groovie Goolies. She was the first person to ever give the character a voice on screen.
Then in 1999, we got Sabrina: The Animated Series. You’d think Melissa Joan Hart would have voiced the character there too, right? Nope. Melissa actually voiced the two aunts, Hilda and Zelda. The role of Sabrina went to her younger sister, Emily Hart. Emily had actually appeared on the live-action sitcom as Sabrina’s bratty cousin Amanda, so the role stayed in the family.
There have been others, too:
- Ashley French voiced her in Sabrina: Friends Forever (2002).
- Britt McKillip took over for Sabrina's Secret Life (2003).
- Mckenna Grace actually played "Young Sabrina" in flashbacks during the Netflix series, adding her name to the prestigious list of Spellmans.
Why the Role Keeps Changing
You might wonder why we keep coming back to this one character. Honestly, it’s because Sabrina Spellman represents the ultimate teen fantasy: having the power to fix your life with a literal snap of your fingers, only to realize that life is still messy regardless of how much magic you have.
Melissa Joan Hart played the "mortal world" struggle. Kiernan Shipka played the "identity" struggle. The character is a mirror for whatever the current generation is feeling. In the ‘90s, we wanted fun and escapism. In the 2020s, we wanted to tear down old systems and fight for our autonomy.
The Complete List of Key Actresses:
- Jane Webb: The 1970s animated pioneer.
- Melissa Joan Hart: The 1990s sitcom legend.
- Emily Hart: The voice of the early 2000s cartoon.
- Kiernan Shipka: The modern, gothic icon of the Netflix era.
- Mckenna Grace: The "Mini-Sabrina" from the Netflix flashbacks.
What to Watch Next
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Sabrina Spellman, don't just stick to the main shows. Track down the 1996 TV movie just to see a young Ryan Reynolds try to woo a witch. Or, check out the Riverdale Season 6 episodes "The Witching Hour(s)" and "The Witches of Riverdale" to see how Shipka’s Sabrina handles the chaos of Archie Andrews' world.
For a real trip, go back to the original 1960s Archie Comics. It's wild to see how much the character has evolved from a one-off joke in Archie's Madhouse #22 to a global franchise lead. Whether she’s casting a love spell on Harvey Kinkle or dodging a curse from the High Priest, Sabrina Spellman remains one of the most versatile characters in TV history.
Your Next Step: If you haven't seen the Netflix version yet, start with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 1. It’s a perfect October watch, but honestly, it’s good any time you’re feeling a little bit rebellious. If you’re feeling nostalgic, the original sitcom is still streaming on various platforms and holds up surprisingly well as a comfort watch.