Everything is what it seemed: The Russos are back!
On Friday, Disney Channel announced that it green-lit a series sequel for Wizards of Waverly Place with its original stars Selena Gomez and David Henrie executive producing and reprising their roles in the show set to premiere this fall. Gomez will return as Alex Russo in a guest star role for the first episode, while Henrie will return as a series regular.
Also joining the series are child actors Max Matenko as Justin’s son Milo, along with Janice LEAnn Brown as young wizard Billie, Alkaio Thiele as Justin’s oldest son Roman, and Mimi Gianopulos as Justin’s wife Giada.
“The series follows an adult Justin Russo, who has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family, Giada, Roman and Milo,” reads a synopsis of the upcoming show. “When Justin’s sister Alex brings Billie to his home seeking help, Justin realizes he must dust off his magical skills to mentor the wizard-in-training while also juggling his everyday responsibilities — and safeguarding the future of the Wizard World.”
Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, who were behind Raven’s Home, the That’s So Raven reprisal, will write and executive produce the new show, alongside Gary Marsh. Andy Fickman directed and exec-produced the pilot, and will direct other episodes.
“WE ARE BACK!! SOOOO GRATEFUL 😍MAGIC🪄🪄,” commented Gomez on a Disney Channel Instagram post Friday.
“We can’t wait to step back into the magical world of ‘Wizards,’ inviting both longtime fans and a new generation to experience the enchantment alongside Selena, David, and our incredible cast and crew,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television in a release.
Back in January, Variety reported that a sequel was in the works, with Henrie confirming the pilot was being filmed: “The Russos are excited to become a part of your family, once again, but we’ve grown,” Henrie wrote on Instagram. “2024, the year magic comes back!”
“Reboot ?” commented David DeLuise, who played the Russo dad in the original series, on Henrie’s post. (DeLuise hosts the Wizards of Waverly Pod about their time on the series with Jennifer Stone, who played Gomez’s character’s kooky best friend, Harper.)
It’s unclear which characters from the original show will return and reprise their roles. Jake T. Austin played the youngest brother Max Russo and Maria Canels Barrera played Theresa Russo, the Russo mom.
Gomez joined the Wizards of Waverly Pod last February, saying she regretted not staying in touch with her co-stars from the program, and that not maintaining their relationship is one of her biggest mistakes.
“I think I slowly became kind of shamed. I felt ashamed of the decisions that I made,” Gomez said at the time. “I didn’t want you guys to see me in the state that I was in, because A, you would have told me the truth, which terrifies me, and B, I didn’t want to let you down.”
