Before Watching the 'Wizards of Waverly Place' Reboot, Get to Know Selena Gomez and the Original Cast

Witches and Wizards, it’s time to head back to the lair and grab your wands because the highly anticipated Wizards of Waverly Place spin-off show, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, is finally here! But before you head back to that particular magical world brought to you by the Mouse House, you need to catch up with the original cast and learn who will be in the reboot. 

Wizards of Waverly Place aired on Disney Channel from 2007 to 2012 and follows the Russos as they learn how to be a magical family while living in New York City. The new show—Wizards Beyond Waverly Place—will begin air in November 2024 and is expected to follow Justin Russo (David Henrie) as he tries to mentor a young wizard in training in need of some guidance.  It is available for streaming on Disney+. 

Keep scrolling to learn more about Henrie and which of his cast members will be joining him on set! 

Selena Gomez

CHARACTER PLAYED: Alex Russo

BEST KNOWN FOR: Another Cinderella Story (2008), Ramona and Beezus (2010), Monte Carlo (2011), Hotel Transilvania I-IV (2012 to 2022) and Only Murders in the Building (2021 to 2024). 

PERSONAL: Gomez is currently dating Benny Blanco. She also owns Rare Beauty and is best friends with Taylor Swift. 

THOUGHTS ON WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE: On the revival of the show, Gomez said "I truly feel like it was the place I started, and I'll always be grateful for that time and I just hope that this new chapter can bring a whole new audience joy the same way that we did when we were younger."

FUN FACT: Gomez’ character's name was originally Brooke O'Malley. 

David Henrie

CHARACTER PLAYED: Justin Russo

BEST KNOWN FOR: Method & Red (2004), How I Met Your Mother (2005 to 2014), Grown Ups 2 (2013), Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015) and Reagan (2024). 

PERSONAL: Henrie has been married to Maria Cahill since 2017 and they have three children together. 

THOUGHTS ON WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE: “We wanted the same spirit, the same heart, the same humor that was in the original show for a whole new generation, while still respecting the old,” Henrie said of the reboot, which he is a central figure in. 

FUN FACT: Henrie wrote several of the show's episodes. 

Jake T. Austin

CHARACTER PLAYED: Max Russo

BEST KNOWN FOR: Go, Diego! Go! (2005 to 2013), Rio (2011), The Fosters (2013 to 2015) and Killing for Extra Credit (2014). 

PERSONAL: Austin is originally from New York City. 

THOUGHTS ON WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE: Austin confirmed he would be in the follow-up show, saying, "Wow! I am looking forward to getting together with my Wizards family."

FUN FACT: Austin left the show for four episodes in season 4, but the reason behind his exit were never revealed. 

David DeLuise 

CHARACTER PLAYED: Jerry Russo

BEST KNOWN FOR: Jesse (1998 to 1999), Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles (1999 to 2000), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996 to 2001), Pup Star (2016), Unbroken: Path to Redemption (2018) and Gray Matter (2023). 

PERSONAL: DeLuise has been married twice and has two kids. 

THOUGHTS ON WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE: DeLuise will be in the remake, with Henrie saying, “It was truly a joy to get to play your son again! I can’t wait to do this many more times.” 

FUN FACT: DeLuise is Italian in real life, just like his character. 

Maria Canals-Barrera

CHARACTER PLAYED: Theresa Russo

BEST KNOWN FOR: The Tony Danza Show (1997 to 1998), Static Shock (2000 to 2003), Justice League (2001 to 2004), The Proud Family (2001 to 2005), Camp Rock I and II (2008 and 2010), Cristela (2014 to 2015) and Seven Cemeteries (2024). 

PERSONAL: The actress has been married to David Barrera since 1999, and they have two children together. 

THOUGHTS ON WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE: Just like her on-screen husband, Canals-Berrera is going to be in the reboot, with the actress saying, “The family have all been invited back. As to the exact capacity and what that will look like, you will see when the pilot gets picked up. And I’m really looking forward to being Abuela Theresa.” 

FUN FACT: Canals-Barrera's hair color and length changes throughout the show's first season, meaning it was aired out of order. 

Jennifer Stone

CHARACTER PLAYED: Harper Finkle

BEST KNOWN FOR: Dadnapped (2008), Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars (2010), Mean Girls 2 (2011) and Santa Girl (2019). 

PERSONAL: Stone became a registered nurse in 2020 to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

THOUGHTS ON WIZARDS OF WAVERLY PLACE: Stone did reveal she wanted to be involved in the reboot, saying, “It’s just a matter of having the right story to tell and timing. Honestly, I was not kidding when I said coordinating all of us together for dinner is hard enough, much less coordinating to get us together for a week or two weeks to shoot a reunion. So, when we have the right story and the right timing, yes.”

FUN FACT: Stone and DeLuise co-host the Wizards of Waverly Pod podcast, where they discuss the show, sometimes alongside other former Disney stars.

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