The popular Disney Channel show Wizards of Waverly Place returned in a highly-anticipated sequel series called Wizards Beyond Waverly Place in late 2024. Debuting in 2007, Wizards of Waverly Place follows the Russo family as they try to balance their lives as run-of-the-mill sandwich shop owners who also happen to be powerful wizards. The bulk of the series hinged on the internal conflict within the Russo siblings, as they each trained to one day compete to be the sole recipient of their family's magical abilities.

When the series went off the air in 2012, the story had been neatly wrapped up with each of the family being served a happy ending. While still beloved to this day, Wizards of Waverly Place is perhaps best known for being the launching point for the career of Selena Gomez, and she is one of many former Disney stars to go on to have a much larger career. Even though the show ended on a positive note, fans have still clung to hope that the Russo family would return, and now their wish is finally being granted with Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 1 Critical Reception

A Well-Regarded Return For The Disney Hit

the sequel manages to find its own rhythm while delivering the familiarity of other sitcoms.

While reboots have been hit or miss, Disney seems to have struck gold with Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. Not only did the series' first season score an impressive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but individual reviews have been just as glowing. Variety gushed about the show's sense of humor while giving high marks to the cast. Even though Cinema Blend had some notes when comparing the reboot to the original, it nevertheless conceded that Beyond Waverly Place was a hit. Overall, the sequel manages to find its own rhythm while delivering the familiarity of other sitcoms.

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Wizards Beyond Waverly Place season 1 concluded on February 28, 2025.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 1 Cast

A New Cast With Several Notable Returns Too

Selena Gomez returned as Alex Russo, though the A-lister played a smaller role in the new series, she helped connect it to the past. On the other hand, David Henrie returned as Justin Russo, and he was one of the major players in the sequel series. David DeLuise and Maria Canals Barrera appeared as the Russo parents in the original series, and they came back in the sequel. Several new names ed the cast list as well, with ​​​​newcomer Janice LeAnn Brown playing young wizard Billie and Alkaio Thiele as Justin's son. Additionally, Max Matenko plays Justin's other son, while Mimi Gianopulos plays Giadi, Justin's wife.

The cast of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place includes:

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Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 1 Trailers

Watch The Full Trailers Below

Disney revealed a teaser for Wizards Beyond Waverly Place that also serves as a BTS video. Mixing clips behind-the-scenes and from the series itself, the teaser shows Selena Gomez and David Henrie arriving on set to shoot their scenes. The trailer then introduces Janice LeAnn Brown's Billie as a sarcastic tween with magical powers who is at odds with Henrie's Justin who tries to teach her how to blend in. Interestingly, Alex and Justin appear in a scene in which they notice how much Billie behaves like Alex did when they were younger.

With weeks to go until the series premiere, a full trailer for Wizards Beyond Waverly Place was released by Disney in September 2024. Catching up with Justin Russo now years removed from the world of wizards, the trailer introduces a new challenge for the reluctant magician as his sister arrives on his doorstep with a new pupil. Billie is a powerful wizard who is too untrained to use her magic safely, and her antics get the Russo's in various hilarious magical situations. Despite all that, the trailer shows Justin accepting his new role and welcoming Billie as part of the family.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 1 Ending & Spoilers

Season 1 Sets The Stage For A Very Familiar Trajectory

The basic premise of the classic Disney Channel original series worked so well the first time, and the ending of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place season 1 essentially served to set up that same plot structure. With magical powers being given out to a slew of characters, it's clear that the sitcom can now settle into the familiar who-will-become-the-family-wizard structure that carried across the entirety of Wizards of Waverly Place. However, there will need to be twists in order to avoid simply copying the original series too much going forward.

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