‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Cast: Then and Now
On 18th January 2024, it was revealed that a sequel to Disney Channel’s ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ is in the works, co-produced by the original stars Selena Gomez and David Henrie. Henrie is set to reprise his role as the adult Justin Russo, alongside new cast members Janice LeAnn Brown, Alkaio Thiele and Mimi Gianopulos.
Gomez, although not in a leading role, will make a guest appearance. Expressing her excitement on Instagram, Gomez shared the news, while Henrie teased fans on Disney Channel’s Instagram, promising a return of the Russo family in 2024. Let’s see the cast of ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ then and now.
Also Read: Selena Gomez And David Henrie Reunite For ‘Wizards Of Waverly Place’ Reboot
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez, initially known for her stint on ‘Barney & Friends,’ hit the big time with her breakout role as Alex Russo in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place.’ Beyond acting, she ventured into music, notching up six albums and 17 top 40 U.S. hits, including the chart-topping ‘Lose You to Love Me.’
Nominated for two Grammys, Gomez further showcased her versatility in films like ‘Spring Breakers’ and ‘Neighbors 2’ and as the voice of Mavis Dracula in ‘Hotel Transylvania.’ She triumphantly returned to television with Hulu’s ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Behind the scenes, Gomez flexed her producing muscles on projects like ’13 Reasons Why’ and ‘Selena + Chef.’
David Henrie
David Henrie is known for portraying the eldest sibling, Justin Russo, in the popular Disney Channel show ‘Wizards of Waverly Place.’ Beyond his iconic role, he played one of Ted Mosby’s kids in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and appeared in films like ‘Walt Before Mickey’ (2015) and ‘Reagan’ (2023).
In 2020, he ventured into feature film direction with ‘This Is the Year,’ produced by his colleague Selena Gomez. Apart from his flourishing career, Henrie tied the knot with his longtime girlfriend and former Miss Delaware, Maria Cahill, in 2017 and the couple now raise three children.
Jake T. Austin
Jake T. Austin, known for his role as Max Russo, the youngest wizard-in-training in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place,’ transitioned seamlessly into post-wizard life in the series finale. Despite relinquishing his magical abilities, he finds joy in being awarded ownership of his family’s sandwich shop.
After the show, Austin delved into drama with ‘The Fosters’ (2013-2015) and found success in voiceover roles in films like ‘Rio’ (2011), ‘Rio 2’ (2014) and ‘The Emoji Movie’ (2017), along with the TV series Justice ‘League Action.’
In 2016, he took a turn on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ showcasing his versatility beyond the wizardry of Waverly Place, although his stint was cut short in the first round.
Jennifer Stone
Jennifer Stone, known for her role as Alex’s best friend Harper Finkle in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place,’ discovered the magical secret of the Russo family in later seasons. Post the show’s finale, she ventured to Nickelodeon, featuring in the spooky series ‘Deadtime Stories’ and co-writing and starring in the independent film ‘The In-Between in’ 2019.
Taking a hiatus from acting, Stone became a registered nurse, contributing to the healthcare sector in California during the COVID-19 pandemic. Making a return in 2023, she reunited with former costar David DeLuise for the podcast ‘Wizards of Waverly Pod,’ revisiting her founding role.
Maria Canals-Barrera
Maria Canals-Barrera took on the role of Theresa Russo, the matriarch of the Russo family in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place,’ where she played the mother to Alex, Justin and Max. Notably, Theresa was the only non-magical member of the household.
Beyond the magical world, Canals-Barrera continued her journey in the entertainment industry post the series finale. Engaging in voice-over work, including Disney+’s ‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder,’ she also secured a main role in Cristela and made guest appearances on popular shows such as ‘Last Man Standing,’ ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and’ Fuller House.’
David DeLuise
David DeLuise, widely recognized for his role as Jerry Russo, the father of three wizard siblings, in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place,’ also serves as their wizardry instructor. Apart from his notable appearances in the Disney Series and ‘3rd Rock from the Sun,’ DeLuise has showcased his versatility through guest roles on shows such as ‘The Mentalist,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy,” Hawaii Five-0,’ ‘NCIS,’ ‘Shameless’ and ‘This Is Us.’
The actor, a father of two—Riley and Dylan—with ex-wife Brigitte, ventured into the podcast world in 2023, co-hosting the ‘Wizards of Waverly Pod’ with former co-star Stone.
