The Russo Matriarch: 7 Shocking New Roles Of Maria Canals-Barrera (The Mom On Wizards Of Waverly Place) In 2025

The question of what happened to the iconic mom on Wizards of Waverly Place, Maria Canals-Barrera, has been definitively answered in 2025. After a decade away from the beloved Disney Channel series, the actress who brought Theresa Russo to life is back in the spotlight with a major return to her most famous role and a surprising pivot to a gritty, action-horror film.

As of late December 2025, fans are buzzing over her recent appearances in the new sequel series, *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, which confirms her enduring legacy as the non-magical, yet fiercely protective, matriarch of the Russo family. But her career is far more diverse than just the Disney Channel, spanning voice acting for major DC Comics characters and starring alongside Hollywood legends in unexpected new projects.

Maria Canals-Barrera: Full Biography and Profile

Maria Canals-Barrera is a highly accomplished American actress, voice actress, and singer of Cuban descent, known for her versatility across comedy, drama, and animation. She has built a strong career portraying powerful, yet grounded, female characters.

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• Full Name: Maria Pilar Canals-Barrera (née Canals)
• Date of Birth: September 28, 1966
• Age: 59 (as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Miami, Florida, U.S.
• Descent: Cuban-American
• Spouse: David Barrera (m. 1999)
• Notable Live-Action Roles: Theresa Russo (*Wizards of Waverly Place*), Connie Torres (*Camp Rock* and *Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam*), Lulu (*Cristela*).
• Notable Voice Roles: Shayera Hol / Hawkgirl (*Justice League* and *Justice League Unlimited*), Paulina (*Danny Phantom*), Shelly Sandoval (*Static Shock*).
• Current Projects (2025): *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, *Seven Cemeteries*.

The Magical Return: Wizards Beyond Waverly Place (2025)

The biggest news for fans of the original series is Maria Canals-Barrera’s official return to the Russo family universe. After the conclusion of the original series in 2012, the Disney Channel announced a sequel series, *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, which premiered in 2024 and has continued into 2025.

Canals-Barrera reprises her beloved role as Theresa Russo, the non-magical mother who serves as the moral compass and emotional anchor for the family. Theresa, who is of Cuban descent, brings a vital grounded perspective to a world filled with wizards, spells, and fantastical creatures.

While the new show centers on a now-adult Alex Russo (Selena Gomez) and her own family, Theresa and her husband Jerry Russo (David DeLuise) are confirmed to be major players in the new narrative. Canals-Barrera’s performance in the episode "When You Wish Upon A Squonk" was a major highlight for fans in early 2025, proving that the chemistry between the original cast members is as strong as ever.

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Her return is crucial to the show's success, as her character provides the necessary contrast to the magical chaos. She represents the "mortal" side of the family, constantly reminding her wizard children to value humanity and responsibility over magic.

From Waverly Place to the Wild West: The Seven Cemeteries Pivot

In a move that surprised many Disney fans, Maria Canals-Barrera has taken on a dramatically different role in the independent horror-comedy film *Seven Cemeteries*. This project showcases her range and willingness to break away from her established family-friendly persona.

In the film, Canals-Barrera stars as a Mexican witch who is enlisted by a recent parolee (played by the legendary Danny Trejo) to resurrect a posse of outlaws. The mission? To help the parolee save a woman from a ruthless drug lord.

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This role is a stark departure from the warm, often exasperated, Theresa Russo. The actress spoke about the role, noting that she enjoyed the opportunity to play a "gritty, unusual" character and even a witch who is supposed to look "hideous" for the part. The film, which also stars Efren Ramirez, is a blend of action, horror, and comedy, giving Canals-Barrera a chance to explore a darker, more complex character archetype.

The Underrated Voice Acting Career: Hawkgirl and Beyond

Long before she was the mom on Waverly Place, Maria Canals-Barrera was a major force in the world of animation and voice acting, a career path that continues to thrive in 2025. This area of her work is where she holds significant topical authority in the superhero and cartoon space.

1. Shayera Hol / Hawkgirl in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU)

Her most famous voice role is undoubtedly Shayera Hol, better known as Hawkgirl, in the critically acclaimed animated series *Justice League* and its sequel, *Justice League Unlimited*. Canals-Barrera’s powerful voice defined the character for an entire generation of DC fans, portraying the fierce, complex Thanagarian warrior. She also reprised the role in the series *Static Shock*.

2. Paulina in Danny Phantom

Another beloved voice role was as the popular, yet superficial, high school crush Paulina in the Nickelodeon animated series *Danny Phantom*. This role showcased her ability to voice younger, more stylized characters in addition to serious superhero roles.

3. Connie Torres in the Camp Rock Franchise

While not strictly a voice role, her portrayal of Connie Torres, Mitchie Torres' (Demi Lovato) supportive mother in the *Camp Rock* Disney Channel Original Movies, further cemented her status as a go-to TV matriarch. The resemblance of this role to Theresa Russo is often noted by fans, establishing a strong sub-topical link in her career.

The combination of her ongoing work in *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, her surprising turn in *Seven Cemeteries*, and her enduring legacy as a major voice actor ensures that Maria Canals-Barrera remains one of the most versatile and active actresses in Hollywood today. Her career trajectory from a grounded Disney mom to an animated superhero and now a movie witch proves that the magic for this star is far from over.