Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is an American comedy television series developed by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas. A sequel to Wizards of Waverly Place, it premiered on October 29, 2024, on Disney Channel. The series is based on characters created by Todd J. Greenwald and stars Janice LeAnn Brown, Alkaio Thiele, Max Matenko, Taylor Cora, Mimi Gianopulos, and David Henrie. Elinoff, Thomas, Selena Gomez, Henrie, and recurring director Andy Fickman executive produce the series alongside Gary Marsh, Jonas Agin, and Rick Williams.
In March 2025, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on September 12, 2025.
Premise
Fifteen years after the events of Wizards of Waverly Place, Justin Russo is living a normal life with his wife and two sons in Staten Island. His sister Alex asks for his help with Billie, a young wizard-in-training. Justin revives his magical skills to mentor Billie while balancing living a normal life and safeguarding the future of the Wizard World.In the second season, with Roman and Milo having also become wizards, Justin is tasked with training all three children in preparation for the upcoming family wizard competition.
Cast and characters
Main
- Janice LeAnn Brown as Billie, a young wizard sent by Alex to live with Justin so that he can train her. In the second-season finale, Billie is revealed to be Alex's daughter. Alex and Billie's father, Damian, previously hid Billie at WizTech and erased all memory of her existence to protect her from her paternal grandfather, who was hunting her for her powers. The memories are later restored through a magical locket kept by Alex.
- Alkaio Thiele as Roman Russo, Justin's older son, Milo's older brother, and Billie's cousin. His full name, Roman Laritate Russo, is revealed in the episode "Howdy with a Trance of Gumballs".
- Max Matenko as Milo Russo, Justin's younger son, Roman's younger brother, and Billie's cousin.
- Taylor Cora as Winter, Billie and Roman's best friend.
- Mimi Gianopulos as Giada Russo, Justin's mortal wife, Roman and Milo's mother, and Billie's aunt. She is an investigative reporter for WOWP News.
- David Henrie as Justin Russo, Giada's husband, the principal of Greenwald Middle School, Roman and Milo's father, and Billie's uncle, who trains her in magic.
Recurring
- Selena Gomez as Alex Russo, Justin's younger sister, Roman and Milo's aunt, the Russo Family Wizard, and a member of the Wizard Tribunal. In the second-season finale, Alex is revealed to be Billie's mother. She later sacrifices herself by jumping into a portal with her father-in-law, Lord Morsus, which can only be sealed from the other side.
- Kirsten Vangsness as Minister Bigelow McFigglehorn, a member of the Wizard Tribunal who later falls under the control of Lord Morsus. She is returned to normal after the Amulet of Evilini is destroyed.
- Patrick Bristow as Wizardpedia / Wiz M.D., magical holographic sources of wizarding knowledge accessed through an enchanted book in the Russo family wizard lair.
- Eleanor Sweeney as Bella Bianchi, Justin's neighbor who feuds with Milo.
- Tobias Jelinek as Lord Morsus / Nicodemus Pennwolf, a masked wizard who seeks Billie's powers and brainwashes McFigglehorn. He is later revealed to be Billie's paternal grandfather in the season finale.
- Recker Eans as Quentin, an orc disguised as a human and sent by Lord Morsus to retrieve Billie. He is inadvertently sent to the Nowhere Zone by Roman in the season finale.
Notable guest stars
- Maria Canals-Barrera as Theresa Russo, Justin and Alex's mother, and Billie, Roman, and Milo's grandmother.
- David DeLuise as Jerry Russo, Justin and Alex's father, and Billie, Roman, and Milo's grandfather, who volunteers at the Spellp Line.
- Sarrie Thompson as Iggy, a pixie and Roman's former love interest.
- Oscar Montoya as Marcus, Justin's assistant at Greenwald Middle School.
- Freya Skye as Piper, an oracle who receives visions and sketches the future.
- Bill Chott as Mr. Laritate, the retired principal of Tribeca Prep.
- Sean Whalen as Mantooth, a ghost who haunted Justin during his teenage years.
- Amanda Tepe as Monotone Woman, a former New York City worker now employed as a mall security guard.
- Harvey Guillén as Gossip Stone, a living bust knowledgeable about Billie's parentage.
Production
Development
On January 18, 2024, it was announced that Disney had ordered a pilot for a sequel television series of Wizards of Waverly Place. Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, who developed Raven's Home, the sequel to That's So Raven, wrote the pilot episode. It was directed by Andy Fickman. Elinoff, Thomas, and Fickman executive produce the series alongside stars Selena Gomez and David Henrie, as well as Gary Marsh, a former television executive, and Jonas Agin. The pilot was filmed on February 1, 2024, with Gomez guest starring and reprising her role as Alex Russo. In the series, Henrie's character is set to have given up his wizard powers to live like a normal human. On March 22, 2024, it was announced that Disney Channel had ordered the pilot to series. Production began in Los Angeles in April 2024. Wizards was used as the working title during early filming until its official title, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, was announced in May 2024. Raven-Symoné and Danielle Fishel directed episodes. Andy Fickman also directed additional episodes outside of the pilot. The first season consists of 21 episodes.On March 31, 2025, the series was renewed for a second season.
Casting
David Henrie reprises his role as Justin Russo, while Selena Gomez guest-stars as Alex Russo. Mimi Gianopulos was cast to portray Giada, Justin's wife, and Alkaio Thiele plays their older son Roman. Additionally, Janice LeAnn Brown stars as Billie, a young wizard seeking Justin's assistance in wizard training. At the time it was ordered to series, it was reported that Max Matenko was cast as Milo, Justin's younger son. Taylor Cora also appears as Winter, Billie and Roman's best friend. It was later announced that David DeLuise would reprise his role as Justin and Alex's father Jerry.Release
The trailer for Wizards Beyond Waverly Place amassed 69 million viewers in 10 days across all social media platforms. It became Disney Channel's most-watched trailer for a comedy series of all time. The series premiered on October 29, 2024, on Disney Channel. The first nine episodes became available to stream on Disney+ the following day, with episodes 3–9 being released prior to their televised premieres. Episodes 10–21 were released on Disney+ on February 28, 2025, with episode 21 being released prior to its televised premiere. The second season premiered on September 12, 2025 on Disney Channel, with two episodes. All episodes of the second season were released on Disney+ in the U.S. and select international markets on October 8, with episodes 7–10 being released prior to their televised premieres.Reception
Critical response
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 89% approval rating with an average rating of 7.7/10, based on 9 critic reviews. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 78 out of 100 based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".Aramide Tinubu of Variety said Wizards Beyond Waverly Place successfully blends nostalgia with fresh content. She praised the performances of both returning cast members like David Henrie and Selena Gomez, and newcomers such as Janice LeAnn Brown, Alkaio Thiele, and Max Matenko. Tinubu found the enhanced special effects and comedic timing of the child actors particularly impressive. She stated that the series retains the charm of the original, with its focus on family and magic, while introducing new adventures. She appreciated the show's lively and fun atmosphere, saying it appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers. Joel Keller of Decider noted that Wizards Beyond Waverly Place captures the silliness and family vibe of the original show, but observed a difference in Selena Gomez's performance. He praised her more subtle comedic timing, saying it may be influenced by her work on Only Murders in the Building, contrasting with the more exaggerated sitcom-like acting from the rest of the cast. Keller appreciated her nuanced portrayal of Alex Russo, balancing the childlike antics around her. He also highlighted the show's focus on Billie's integration into the mortal world and the return of original cast members, expecting the series to appeal to both nostalgic fans and new younger audiences.
Abigail Stevens of Screen Rant found Wizards Beyond Waverly Place to be a funny and heartwarming sequel that successfully captures the essence of its predecessor. She praised David Henrie and Selena Gomez for reprising their roles, noting their strong dynamic, while complimenting the performances of the new cast members. Stevens appreciated how the show mirrors the original family structure without feeling like a direct copy, maintaining unique characterizations. She stated that the series introduces darker emotional storylines, hinting at deeper themes of family and self-worth. Ashley Moulton of Common Sense Media rated Wizards Beyond Waverly Place four out of five stars. She complimented the show's comedic tone and found the moderate scariness of the wizards' encounters with monsters to be lighthearted and not overly alarming. Moulton appreciated the positive messages about perseverance and self-belief, while noting that the main character Billie is a complex role model, showing both rebelliousness and personal growth. She also found Justin Russo to be a good role model, while the relationship between brothers Milo and Roman was seen as affectionate despite typical sibling rivalry.