From Wizards To Witches: Where The Wizards Of Waverly Place Cast Is Now In 2025

The Russo family is back! Fans of the beloved Disney Channel series *Wizards of Waverly Place* are currently experiencing a wave of nostalgia and excitement, as the long-awaited sequel, *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, has officially brought the magical world back to television. This new series, starring David Henrie and featuring Selena Gomez, is a testament to the enduring legacy of the original show, which first premiered in 2007. The buzz surrounding the cast’s reunion and their current, often surprising, career paths has dominated pop culture discussions in late 2024 and early 2025.

As of December 2025, the original cast members—Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera, and David DeLuise—have forged diverse and fascinating careers. While some have become global superstars and business moguls, others have made dramatic pivots into entirely new, non-acting professions. Here is an in-depth look at what the original *Wizards of Waverly Place* cast is doing now, featuring the freshest updates and their involvement in the new Disney sequel.

The Original Russo Family: Full Biography and Current Status (2025)

Selena Gomez (Alex Russo)

• Born: July 22, 1992 (Grand Prairie, Texas)
• Role in WOWP: Alex Russo, the mischievous, witty middle child and eventual family wizard.
• Post-WOWP Career: Global music artist, actress, producer, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of the billion-dollar beauty brand Rare Beauty.
• Recent Projects (2024–2025): Stars as Mabel Mora and executive produces the critically acclaimed Hulu series *Only Murders in the Building*. She also serves as an executive producer for the sequel series, *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, and made a highly-anticipated guest appearance as Alex Russo in the first season. Her musical career remains active, with new singles and collaborations frequently charting.
• Entity Keywords: Rare Beauty, Only Murders in the Building, Mabel Mora, Executive Producer, Pop Star, Revival Series, Disney+.

David Henrie (Justin Russo)

• Born: July 10, 1989 (Mission Viejo, California)
• Role in WOWP: Justin Russo, the older, rule-abiding, and academically gifted wizard brother.
• Post-WOWP Career: Actor, writer, and director.
• Recent Projects (2024–2025): Henrie is the central figure and a key creative force behind the new sequel, *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*. He stars as the adult Justin Russo, who has given up his powers to live a normal life with his family, and also serves as an executive producer alongside Selena Gomez. Furthermore, Henrie made his directorial debut with the horror-comedy film *Monster Summer*, which was released in October 2024. He also previously directed the film *This Is the Year*, which Gomez executive produced.
• Entity Keywords: Justin Russo Sequel, Executive Producer, Director, Monster Summer, This Is the Year, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2.

Jake T. Austin (Max Russo)

• Born: December 3, 1994 (New York City, New York)
• Role in WOWP: Max Russo, the youngest, often clumsy, and comical wizard brother.
• Post-WOWP Career: Continued acting in film and television.
• Recent Projects (2024–2025): While he has not yet been announced for the *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place* sequel, Austin remains active in independent film. In 2024, he starred in the indie film *Draft State* and the Lifetime movie *Killing for Extra Credit*. Fans are eagerly awaiting any news of his potential return as Max Russo in the spin-off’s confirmed second season.
• Entity Keywords: Draft State, Killing for Extra Credit, Lifetime Movie, Max Russo, Teen Choice Awards, The Fosters.

Jennifer Stone (Harper Finkle)

• Born: February 12, 1993 (Arlington, Texas)
• Role in WOWP: Harper Finkle, Alex’s quirky, fashion-forward, and loyal mortal best friend.
• Post-WOWP Career: Actress and a healthcare professional.
• Recent Projects (2024–2025): In one of the most surprising career pivots in recent Hollywood history, Jennifer Stone stepped away from full-time acting to pursue a career in medicine. She became a Registered Nurse (RN) and, in May 2025, was welcomed as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at LÉVO. She openly discusses her journey, which was inspired in part by her own diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes. This dramatic change highlights her dedication to mental and physical health advocacy.
• Entity Keywords: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, LÉVO, Healthcare Career, Type 1 Diabetes, Mental Health Advocacy.

Maria Canals-Barrera (Theresa Russo)

• Born: September 28, 1966 (Miami, Florida)
• Role in WOWP: Theresa Russo, the Russo family matriarch and mortal mother of the wizards.
• Post-WOWP Career: Active in television, film, and voice acting.
• Recent Projects (2024–2025): Maria Canals-Barrera reprised her beloved role as Theresa Russo in a guest appearance on the first season of *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, much to the delight of fans. She is also a prolific voice actress, voicing Abuela in the 2024 animated series *Dora* and Sunset Boulevardez in *The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder* (2022–2023). Her recent film credits include *Dance Rivals* (2024) and *Seven Cemeteries* (2024).
• Entity Keywords: Theresa Russo, Voice Acting, Dora, The Proud Family, Dance Rivals, Seven Cemeteries, Cuban-American Actress.

David DeLuise (Jerry Russo)

• Born: November 11, 1971 (Los Angeles, California)
• Role in WOWP: Jerry Russo, the former family wizard who gave up his powers to marry Theresa.
• Post-WOWP Career: Actor and television director.
• Recent Projects (2024–2025): Following his on-screen wife, David DeLuise also returned to the Russo family fold, reprising his role as Jerry Russo in the new Disney sequel series, *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, in 2024. His return, alongside Maria Canals-Barrera, solidifies the nostalgic foundation of the spin-off. DeLuise has also maintained a steady career in directing and acting in various television projects.
• Entity Keywords: Jerry Russo, Television Director, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, Full House, Stargate SG-1.

The Magical Reunion: Wizards Beyond Waverly Place and Season 2

The biggest news for the *Wizards of Waverly Place* fandom in 2024 and 2025 is undoubtedly the launch and subsequent success of the sequel series, *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*. The show serves as a direct continuation, focusing on a grown-up Justin Russo (David Henrie), who has chosen to live a mortal life with his wife and two sons after a mysterious event forces him to retire from the Wizard World.

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The series was an instant hit, leading to a swift renewal for Season 2, which is highly anticipated to premiere on Disney Channel and Disney+ in 2025. This sequel not only provides a fresh narrative but also deepens the lore of the Wizard World, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and the challenges of balancing a magical life with a mundane one. The involvement of both Henrie and Selena Gomez as executive producers ensures the show maintains the original series' beloved tone and topical authority.

Selena Gomez's return as Alex Russo, the character who won the family wizard competition, was a pivotal moment in the first season. Her guest appearance was a major draw, with her dynamic with David Henrie's Justin proving to be as engaging as ever. This reunion has been a major highlight for fans, showing a "different side" of their professional relationship as they collaborate both in front of and behind the camera.

From Disney Star to Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: Jennifer Stone's Unique Pivot

While the Russo family is back on screen, the career trajectory of Jennifer Stone (Harper Finkle) stands out as the most unique and inspiring. Stone, who played Alex Russo's quirky best friend, has made a complete and admirable career pivot into the healthcare field. She is no longer just an actress; she is a licensed medical professional.

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Her journey began when she became a Registered Nurse (RN), a decision motivated by her own health struggles, specifically her diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes. Stone's dedication to her new profession reached a new milestone in May 2025 when she qualified and began practicing as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at LÉVO. This role involves providing mental health care, a field she is passionate about. Her work as a PNP is a powerful example of using a platform to advocate for health and wellness, demonstrating that life after a major acting role can lead to profound, real-world impact.

Although she has paused her full-time acting career, her connection to the *Wizards* family remains strong. Her former co-stars, including Selena Gomez and David Henrie, have publicly supported her new path, underscoring the deep, lasting bonds of the original cast. This professional shift adds a fascinating layer to the cast's collective story, proving that the magic of the show extends beyond the set.

The Russo Parents and the Future of the Cast

The returns of Maria Canals-Barrera as Theresa Russo and David DeLuise as Jerry Russo were essential for grounding the new series. Their characters, the mortal parents who keep the family sane (mostly), represent the heart of the original show. Canals-Barrera, in particular, has maintained a robust career, balancing her return to the Russo family with other notable voice acting roles in children's television, such as the 2024 *Dora* series.

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David Henrie's transition into directing, with films like *Monster Summer* and *This Is the Year*, showcases his growth beyond his Disney roots, establishing him as a multi-talented creative force. His continued collaboration with Selena Gomez on both the sequel and his directorial projects highlights a powerful, enduring professional partnership that fans rarely get to see from former child stars.

As *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place* moves into its second season in 2025, the question remains whether Jake T. Austin will join his on-screen family. While his recent work has been in smaller, independent projects, the door is certainly open for Max Russo to make a surprise appearance. The fresh narrative focusing on Justin's family and the new generation of wizards, combined with the surprising career shifts and continued success of the original cast, ensures that the Russo family's story remains one of the most compelling in television history.