Wizards Beyond Waverly Place: Selena Gomez Returns, First look, Release date, and more

Get ready to return to the magical world of Wizards of Waverly Place! The much-anticipated sequel series is set to premiere soon. This spin-off brings back David Henrie as Justin Russo, now navigating life as a father in a world where magic has been left behind—until Alex (Selena Gomez) reappears with a life-changing request.

Disney has just unveiled the first behind-the-scenes footage during the premiere of Descendants: The Rise of Red, giving fans a glimpse into this exciting new chapter. The new series picks up 12 years after the original show, exploring the next magical adventures in Justin’s life.

In this article, we’ll delve into everything we know about Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, from premiere details to cast updates and more. Stay tuned as we keep you updated with the latest information!

Release date & Where to Watch

The series will premiere with two episodes on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET on Disney Channel. You can watch the first eight episodes on Disney+ and Disney Channel On Demand the next day, Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Plot

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place follows an adult Justin Russo, who has opted for a normal, mortal life with his wife Giada and their children, Roman and Milo. However, Justin's mundane existence is disrupted when his sister Alex arrives with a young wizard named Billie, seeking his help. Forced to revisit his magical roots, Justin takes on the responsibility of mentoring Billie while managing his everyday duties and ensuring the future of the Wizard World remains secure.

In the original Wizards of Waverly Place, Justin ended up as the headmaster of WizTech, a wizarding school akin to Hogwarts. However, the new rules in the Wizard World mandate that a wizard must give up their powers to marry a non-magical mortal, explaining why Justin now lives without magic.

The original series, which aired from 2007 to 2012, featured Selena Gomez and David Henrie as Alex and Justin Russo, siblings competing to become the family wizard, a title that only one child in each magical family can retain into adulthood. The new show picks up 12 years later, with Justin raising his children in a magic-free environment—until Alex's arrival sends his family down a magical path.

The new series remixes the original's dynamics, shifting focus to Billie and the younger characters. While Selena Gomez, as Alex, will make guest appearances, she won’t be a series regular. Her character’s perspective has evolved, reflecting a certain distance from her rebellious teenage years. Meanwhile, Justin’s role takes on a paternal dynamic similar to the one his father played in the original series.

A significant change in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is Justin's discouragement of magic in his household, a stark contrast to his father's approach. While he eventually assumes the role of Billie’s mentor, this shift introduces new narrative complexities as Justin navigates his seemingly normal life, now intertwined with the magical world once again.

Cast

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• David Henrie as Justin Russo  
• Mimi Gianopulos as Giada, Justin's wife  
• Alkaio Thiele as Roman Russo, Justin and Giada's oldest son  
• Max Matenko as Milo Russo, their youngest son and Roman's younger brother  
• Selena Gomez as Alex Russo, Justin's younger sister and the aunt of Milo and Roman  
• Janice LeAnn Brown as Billie, a young wizard  
• Taylor Cora as Winter, Billie's best friend  
• Maria Canals-Barrera as Theresa Russo, Justin and Alex's mother, and Milo and Roman's grandmother  
• David DeLuise as Jerry Russo, Justin and Alex's father, and Milo and Roman's grandfather

First-look Teaser

The video features Selena Gomez visiting the set as she gears up for her guest star role, followed by an introduction to one of the show's new stars, Janice LeAnn Brown. A clip highlights how Brown's character, Billie—stubborn and sarcastic—perfectly parallels Alex Russo. The remainder of the video provides a glimpse into the characters and locations that will appear throughout the series, blending new elements with familiar ones.

What role will Selena Gomez have on Wizards Beyond Waverly Place?

Although Gomez is an executive producer alongside Henrie, she is only confirmed to be a guest star as Alex in the series premiere. While she may make additional appearances later, she will not be a regular cast member.

Where is Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Filmed?

Production has been ongoing in Los Angeles since April 2024.

Behind the Scenes

Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas are the writers and executive producers, joined by Gary Marsh, Jonas Agin, Gomez, and David Henrie as fellow executive producers. Andy Fickman directed and executive produced the pilot, which will also have several episodes directed by Raven-Symoné and Danielle Fishel in season one. Wizards of Waverly Place was originally created by Todd Greenwald.