All You Need to Know: Cast, Plot, Release Date & More

UPDATED with latest: Wizards Beyond Waverly Place now has a release date just in time for spooky season, along with directors who are familiar faces from Disney Channel. A first look video gave a glimpse of David Henrie and Selena Gomez’s return for the sequel show and more.

Deadline initially broke the news of the sequel series back in January. Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas are on board as writers and executive producers. The pilot was directed and executive-produced by Andy Fickman, who will also direct multiple episodes.

Selena Gomez revealed the Wizards of Waverly Place sequel title at Disney’s upfront in May 2024. The spinoff will be called Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. She also shared two first-look images, which are included here.

The original show ran for four seasons, earning Emmys and strong ratings until Selena Gomez moved on to more mature roles. It aired from 2007 to 2012, with Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie premiering on Disney Channel in 2009. The cast reunited for a special, The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex, in 2013.

Rumors of another reunion persisted, and now, a decade later, Disney is turning those whispers into reality.

The sequel series is set to premiere on October 29, 2024, just in time for Halloween. The first two episodes will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel.

Disney Channel alums Raven-Symoné and Danielle Fishel will direct episodes of the show.

Yes, Selena Gomez will guest star in the pilot as Alex Russo. She is also executive-producing the series alongside David Henrie, who played her small-screen sibling.

David Henrie will reprise his role as Justin Russo and will be a series regular, which means we’ll see more of him in the series compared to Gomez.

New cast members include series lead Janice LeAnn Brown (Disney’s Just Roll with It), who will play the powerful young wizard Billie, mentored by Justin. Taylor Cora will join as Winter, Billie’s bubbly and oversharing best friend. Alkaio Thiele (Call Me Kat) will play Roman Russo, Justin’s eldest son. Max Matenko (Platonic) portrays Milo Russo, Justin’s youngest son. Mimi Gianopulos (American Princess) takes on the role of Justin’s wife, Giada.

In the sequel, Justin Russo is now an adult with a wife and two sons. He has left his wizard powers behind for a normal life. But after a mysterious incident at WizTech, a powerful young wizard in need of training arrives at Justin’s door. He must choose between his everyday life and embracing his past to ensure the future of the Wizard World.

Gary Marsh, the former top Disney Channels creative executive who was pivotal in launching Selena Gomez’s career with Wizards of Waverly Place, is also an executive producer.

Beyond acting in the new series, Selena Gomez remains busy within the Disney family. She stars and executive produces the hit Hulu/20th TV comedy series Only Murders In the Building, which premiered its fourth season on August 27. Gomez is also set to portray Linda Ronstadt in a movie based on the singer’s memoir Simple Dreams, directed by David O. Russell.

Additionally, Gomez has an untitled Food Network series debuting in 2024, where she’ll meet with top chefs across the U.S. to cook their most popular dishes in their kitchens.

Source: Deadline