Cast of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place: Full List & Returning Stars

Few Disney Channel series still spark the kind of nostalgia that Wizards of Waverly Place does, so when a spin-off was announced, the big question wasn’t just about the new spells — it was about which familiar faces would cast them. Wizards Beyond Waverly Place brings back David Henrie as an adult Justin Russo, but the returning cast list is more selective than many fans hoped. Here is the full confirmed cast, which original stars are back, and who remains notably absent.

Total cast announced: 6 main ·
Main returning actor (original series): David Henrie ·
Guest appearances (original cast): Selena Gomez, Maria Canals-Barrera ·
Original series run: 2007–2012 ·
Spin-off premiere year: 2024

Six key facts set the foundation for understanding who is in this spin-off and what it means for the original story.

The pattern: the spin-off leans heavily on Justin’s adult life, not the full Russo family unit.

Who is in the cast of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place?

Main new cast members

• Janice LeAnn Brown plays Billie, a young wizard who seeks Justin’s mentorship (Wikipedia)
• Alkaio Thiele plays Roman Russo, Justin and Giada’s older son (Wikipedia)
• Max Matenko plays Milo Russo, Justin and Giada’s younger son (Wizards of Waverly Place Wiki (fan encyclopedia))
• Taylor Cora plays Winter, a friend of Billie and Roman (Wizards of Waverly Place Wiki)
• Mimi Gianopulos plays Giada Russo, Justin’s wife (Wikipedia)

The new family unit is entirely original: Justin is now a husband and father, not a teenager.

Returning original series stars

• David Henrie reprises his role as Justin Russo, now the lead protagonist of the spin-off (TVLine)
• Selena Gomez returns as Alex Russo in a guest-starring capacity (TVLine)
• Maria Canals-Barrera appears as Theresa Russo (ScreenRant)
• David DeLuise returns as Jerry Russo in a guest role (TVLine)

The implication: only one original sibling — Justin — anchors the series full-time; Alex and the parents are part-time visitors.

Is Selena Gomez in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place?

Confirmed appearances

Yes, Selena Gomez appears as Alex Russo in the spin-off, but her role is limited to guest appearances across the season. She is not a main cast member (TVLine).

Role context

In the original series, Alex was the rebellious, witty wizard who often clashed with her older brother Justin. In the spin-off, she appears as a supporting figure — checking in on Justin’s adult life and offering wizardly counsel. Her reduced presence means the series focuses squarely on Justin as a father and mentor to Billie (TVLine).

Why are Harper and Max not in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place?

Harper’s absence explained

Jennifer Stone, who played best friend Harper Finkle, is not credited in the main cast or in early-season guest lists. Industry trade Variety (entertainment trade publication) reported in 2026 that Stone is expected to return in a later-season guest appearance, but as of the current cast announcement, Harper does not appear.

The trade-off: Stone’s reported return has been teased but not confirmed within the season 1 or 2 casting, leaving fans waiting for official Disney confirmation.

Max’s absence explained

Jake T. Austin, who played the youngest Russo sibling Max, has not been confirmed to appear in the spin-off. TV Insider (TV industry insider) notes Austin’s absence is officially unremarked upon by Disney, and no casting announcement has listed him. The character of Max — the third wizard sibling in the original family competition — does not appear in the new family dynamic, which centers on Justin’s own children.

Who is Billie Russo and who is her father?

Billie’s character background

Billie, played by Janice LeAnn Brown, is a young wizard brought under Justin Russo’s mentorship. She is not a blood relative of the Russo family in the established lore — she is a new character seeking guidance (Wikipedia). Fan theories have speculated that Billie could be Alex’s daughter, but no script evidence or official source confirms any familial link between Billie and Alex Russo.

Billie’s father identity in lore

No canonical father has been identified for Billie within the series narrative. The character Damian Pennwolf, who appeared in the original series, has been suggested by some fans as a potential connection, but there is no official or scripted link. The spin-off treats Billie as an orphaned or unattached young wizard whose parentage is not part of the current story (Wikipedia).

What is the release schedule and season count?

Season 1

Season 1 premiered on Disney Channel in 2024 (Wikipedia). The season introduced Justin’s adult family and Billie’s arrival.

Season 2

Season 2 has been ordered, with new additions including Harvey Guillén as Gossip Stone, Freya Skye as Piper, and several returning original-series guest stars. No official premiere date has been announced (SoapCentral (TV news site)).

Season 3 announcement

Disney announced a “final chapter” for Wizards Beyond Waverly Place in 2025, but the exact episode count and whether this constitutes a third season or an extended final run remain unclear (TV Insider).

Fans eager to see who joins the new generation can check out the full cast list for the sequel for a complete breakdown of returning stars and new characters.

Frequently asked questions

For fans of the original Wizards of Waverly Place, the spin-off delivers Justin Russo as a lead and brings Alex back for brief visits, but leaves Max, Harper, and the full family dynamic behind. David Henrie carries the narrative forward without the sibling trio fans remember.