Leadership
Coven Academy Creator Tim Federle Signs With WME for Representation in All Areas
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- Tim Federle signed with WME for representation in all areas after Coven Academy's October premiere on Disney+ and Freeform.
- Coven Academy drew some 20 million hours of viewing worldwide in its first three weeks and was renewed for a second season.
- Federle directed and produced Romy and Michele 2, scheduled for a 2027 release, and is writing the book for a West End adaptation of The Greatest Showman.
Tim Federle, creator of Disney's Coven Academy and director of the forthcoming Romy and Michele sequel, has signed with WME for representation in all areas. The Hollywood Reporter reported the signing on November 11, 2026.
Federle's Disney Record and Romy and Michele Sequel
The signing follows Coven Academy's October premiere on Disney+ and Freeform and the show's renewal for a second season a few weeks after its debut. The series is set at a school for witches in New Orleans and stars Malina Pauli Weissman, Malachi Barton, Jordan Leftwich, Ora Duplass, Louis Thresher and Tiffani Thiessen. It drew some 20 million hours of viewing worldwide in its first three weeks.
Federle recently wrapped production on Romy and Michele 2, the sequel to the 1997 film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. He directed and produced the sequel, which features Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow reprising their title roles, with Janeane Garafolo and Alan Cumming also returning. The film is scheduled for a 2027 release.
Federle also created and executive produced High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and wrote and directed the Disney+ movie Better Nate Than Ever, based on his 2013 novel of the same name. He earned a DGA Award nomination for Better Nate Than Ever and a Humanitas Prize in 2018 for his script for the animated movie Ferdinand. He continues to be repped by Jackoway Austen.
WME's 2026 Restructuring and 160over90 Sale
WME laid off approximately 30 staff, 3% of its workforce, in March 2026 as part of post-privatization restructuring, citing profound industry changes, according to akta.pro company records. In April 2026 the agency sold its sports marketing division 160over90 to Publicis Groupe for over $500 million, after acquiring it in 2018 for about $200 million.
WME's Run of Signings Before Federle
WME signed Saturday Night Live cast member Jeremy Culhane, in his second season on the show, for representation, Deadline reported in November 2026. Singer Jackson Wang also signed with WME for all areas of representation, Yahoo reported the same month, with Wang set to focus on acting. On November 6, 2026, BLACKPINK's JISOO signed with WME for worldwide representation, Billboard reported.
Greatest Showman Stage Adaptation Set for West End
Federle is writing the book for a stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman that is set to open in London's West End next year. Romy and Michele 2 is scheduled for a 2027 release.