The Wizards Return Again In 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’ Behind-The-Scenes Look
Everything is coming together at the seams
It was mere moments before the Disney Entertainment Showcase at D23 2024, and immediately following the Disney Channel premiere of Descendants: The Rise of Red that viewers at home got a little appetizer. With no one knowing how much Disney Channel representation there was going to be at the Showcase (literally invisible promotion if there’s going to be anything), at least fans could say they got something: a behind-the-scenes video for the upcoming Wizards of Waverly Place sequel series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.
More than 12 years after the original’s 4-season, 100+ episode run, star David Henrie and executive producer Selena Gomez relish in being “home”. Henrie’s Justin Russo, now with his wife Giada, played by Mimi Gianapulos and sons Roman, played by Alkaio Thiele, and Milo, who he has chosen to give a normal, magic-free life, make up most of the main cast. Gomez’s Alex Russo, his sister, is still only set to appear as a guest star in the first episode to essentially kick off the plot. It is she who brings Billie, played by Janice LeAnn Brown, to his home seeking help. It forces Justin out of retirement to mentor her wizard-in-training while also juggling his everyday responsibilities, and taking on safeguarding the future of the Wizard World again.
Billie seems to be using her magic pretty freely, for stuff like portals and making food. There’s dancing, hugs, and fun behind and in front of the camera. Of course the first video was going to feature the trip to the lair since Gomez and Henrie already photographed inside it. In addition, David DeLuise, who played dad Jerry Russo in the original series, is the first from it outside of Gomez and Henrie to confirm their return. The series also stars Taylor Cora as Winter, Billie’s “bubbly, quirky and oversharing best friend”.
Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas write and executive produce Wizards Beyond Waverly Place with Gary Marsh, Gomez, and Henrie. Andy Fickman who directed and executive produced the pilot will direct multiple episodes. The series is most certainly premiering as part of Disney Channel and Disney+’s Halloween festivities, though the specifics, especially detailing how it will be rolled out on the latter, have not been given.
Source: Deadline