Cast, release date, everything we know

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

Deadline announced the sequel series in January. Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas serve as writers and executive producers. Andy Fickman directed and executive produced the pilot episode and will direct several episodes.

Selena Gomez revealed the Wizards of Waverly Place Sequel title at Disney in May 2024. The spinoff will be called Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. She also shared two first pictures, which you can find below.

The original series ran for four seasons, won Emmys and did well in the ratings, until star Selena Gomez decided it was time to move on to more adult roles. The series ran from 2007 to 2012, with Wizards of Waverly Place – The Movie In 2009, the series also aired on the Disney Channel. The cast returned for a standalone television special, The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alexin 2013.

Since then, there have been rumors of another reunion and now, after a decade, Disney is making it happen.

Now the answers to the most important questions.

When will Wizards Beyond Waverly Place come out?

The sequel series will 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.

Who will direct Wizards Beyond Waverly Place?

Former Disney Channel stars Raven-Symoné and Danielle Fishel will direct several episodes of the series.

Is Selena Gomez involved?

Yes, Gomez will guest star in the pilot episode as Alex Russo. She is also an executive producer on the series, along with her TV sibling David Henrie.

Will other members of the original cast of Wizards of Waverly Place return for the sequel?

Henrie reprises the role of Justin Russo. He will be a series regular, meaning we will see him more often in the series than Gomez.

Will new actors be added to the cast?

Yes. The new cast includes series lead Janice LeAnn Brown (Disney’s Just join in), who will play Billie, the powerful young wizard whom Justin takes under his wing. Taylor Cora will join the series’ regular cast in the role of Winter, Billie’s lively, quirky and overly outspoken best friend. Alkaio Thiele (Call me Kat) will play Roman Russo, Justin’s eldest son. Max Matenko (Platonic) plays Milo Russo, Justin’s youngest son. Mimi Gianopulos (American Princess) will play Justin’s wife Giada.

How will the sequel to Wizards of Waverly Place expand on the original series?

In the sequel, Justin Russo is an adult with a wife and two sons. Justin has left his magical powers behind and decided to live a normal, human life. After a mysterious incident at WizTech, Justin is surprised when a powerful young wizard in need of training shows up at his door. He is faced with a dilemma: should he maintain his everyday life or embrace his past to secure the future of the wizarding world?

Is anyone else from the original series involved?

Gary Marsh, the former long-time top creative executive at Disney Channel, was the driving force behind Wizards of Waverly Place and was instrumental in bringing Gomez to the network after she was discovered at an open casting call in Dallas. He is also an executive producer.

What else is Gomez working on?

In addition to music, Gomez is currently part of the Disney family as star and executive producer of the hit Hulu/20th TV comedy series Only murders in the buildingwhose fourth season premiered on August 27. She is also set to play Linda Ronstadt in a film based on the singer’s memoirs. Simple dreams. Directed by David O. Russell, Gomez is also working on an untitled Food Network series that will premiere in 2024. In it, she will meet some of the country’s best chefs and visit their kitchens to recreate their most popular dishes.