The Russo Family Returns: What The Cast Of Waverly Place Is Doing Now In 2025
The magic is back, but the lives of the original *Wizards of Waverly Place* cast have been anything but static. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the biggest news is the return of the Russo family in the highly anticipated sequel series, *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, which has officially premiered on Disney Channel. However, while David Henrie and Selena Gomez are reprising their iconic roles, the rest of the cast have followed fascinating, and sometimes surprising, career paths—from becoming a registered nurse to launching a global beauty empire.
The original show, which ran from 2007 to 2012, launched its core cast into superstardom, but their journeys since then have diversified dramatically. This deep dive into the current projects and personal lives of the beloved Russo family and their best friend, Harper Finkle, is the most current look at what the cast of *Wizards of Waverly Place* is doing right now, including all the fresh details about the new sequel series and who is (and isn't) returning.
The Original Core Cast: Full Biography & Current Status (2025)
- Selena Gomez (Alex Russo):
- Role in *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*: Guest Star (as Alex Russo) and Executive Producer.
- Current Projects: Released her fourth studio album, *I Said I Love You First*, in 2025; continues to star in the hit series *Only Murders in the Building*; runs her successful beauty brand Rare Beauty and its Rare Impact Fund focused on mental health.
- Personal Life: Publicly in a relationship with music producer Benny Blanco.
- David Henrie (Justin Russo):
- Role in *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*: Main Star (as an adult Justin Russo) and Executive Producer.
- Current Projects: Stars as Justin, who is now a grown-up wizard living a non-magical life with his family, and must dust off his magic skills to mentor a new wizard-in-training named Billie. He is also involved in a new EWTN travel project called *Seeking Beauty*, set for December 2025.
- Personal Life: Married to Maria Cahill.
- Jake T. Austin (Max Russo):
- Role in *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*: Not confirmed as a main cast member for the sequel.
- Current Projects: Starred in the indie film *Draft State* and the Lifetime movie *Killing for Extra Credit* in 2024. He has been "laying low" in 2025, but previously starred in *The Fosters* and the neo-noir drama *Adverse*.
- Jennifer Stone (Harper Finkle):
- Role in *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*: Not confirmed to be returning, though she has expressed interest.
- Current Projects: Made a significant career change and is now a registered nurse, having announced the milestone during the pandemic. She is also involved in the roofing industry as a Preferred Accounts Manager.
- Maria Canals-Barrera (Theresa Russo):
- Role in *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*: Reprising her role as Theresa Russo.
- Current Projects: Continues voice work as Sunset Boulevardez on Disney+'s *The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder* and is mentioned in connection with a *Camp Rock 3* project.
- David DeLuise (Jerry Russo):
- Role in *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*: Reprising his role as Jerry Russo, the family patriarch.
- Current Projects: His primary recent project is the return to his iconic role as Jerry Russo in the sequel series.
The Highly Anticipated Sequel: *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*
The biggest update for fans of the original Disney Channel series is the launch of the sequel, *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*. The new series picks up years after the original, focusing on Justin Russo (David Henrie), who has chosen to live a completely non-magical life with his human wife, Giada (Mimi Gianopulos), and their two sons, Roman and Milo. Justin’s decision to abandon magic was an attempt to live a normal life after the events of the original series.
The plot thickens when a young, powerful wizard-in-training named Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) shows up at his door, seeking help from Alex Russo (Selena Gomez). Because the Wizard World is in danger, Justin is forced to re-engage with his magical roots to mentor Billie and train his two sons, who unexpectedly develop magical powers. This setup restores the core theme of the show: a family of wizards balancing a secret magical life with the mundane world, all while preparing for the Family Wizard Competition.
The New Generation of Wizards and the Missing Russo
The new cast members are central to the show's future. Janice LeAnn Brown plays Billie, the powerful new wizard who seeks out the Russo siblings. Alkaio Thiele and Max Matenko play Justin’s magical sons, Roman and Milo, respectively, who are quickly thrust into the world of spellcasting. Taylor Cora rounds out the new generation as Winter, a friend of the Russo family. The new series successfully brings back the Russo family dynamic, with David Henrie serving as both a lead actor and a key executive producer, ensuring the tone of the original series remains intact.
A notable point of curiosity for fans is the status of Max Russo, played by Jake T. Austin. As of the latest updates, Jake T. Austin is not listed as a returning main cast member, nor has he been confirmed for a guest appearance. His character's absence leaves a significant gap in the Russo family unit, fueling fan speculation about Max's current life and whether he will ever make a surprise return to the series.
Beyond Waverly Place: Selena Gomez's Empire and Jennifer Stone's New Calling
While the reunion is exciting, the cast’s individual careers outside of the Wizard World are perhaps the most compelling stories of their transformation.
Selena Gomez has transcended her Disney Channel roots to become a true global entrepreneur and multi-hyphenate. Her 2025 album release, *I Said I Love You First*, is a major part of her continued success in the music industry. Simultaneously, her work as Mabel Mora in the critically acclaimed Hulu series *Only Murders in the Building* has cemented her status as a serious actress. Crucially, she has leveraged her platform to create the Rare Impact Fund through her Rare Beauty brand, dedicating resources to mental health and self-acceptance, a cause she frequently champions.
Jennifer Stone’s career shift is arguably the most surprising. The actress who played the quirky, fashion-forward Harper Finkle is now a registered nurse, having pursued her education and worked on the front lines, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. While she is not currently confirmed to appear in *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, her transition from Hollywood to healthcare demonstrates a profound dedication to a new profession. Fans continue to hope that her character, Harper, who was Alex’s best friend and knew the family's secret, will at least make a cameo appearance alongside her on-screen boyfriend, Zeke Beakerman.
The return of the Russo family, coupled with the fascinating, divergent paths of its original stars, confirms that the magic of *Wizards of Waverly Place* continues to evolve and captivate a new generation of fans. The combination of nostalgia and fresh, modern storylines ensures that the legacy of the Russo siblings is secure for years to come.
Detail Author:
- Name : Marilie Medhurst
- Username : lexus81
- Email : lenny.kling@yahoo.com
- Birthdate : 1991-08-14
- Address : 55864 Lindsey Land Adamsport, LA 91250-0112
- Phone : (364) 654-2596
- Company : Lynch Inc
- Job : Stone Cutter
- Bio : Ea qui omnis repudiandae molestiae. Eius quibusdam non omnis sunt qui.
Socials
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/kundea
- username : kundea
- bio : Ullam delectus aut doloribus nesciunt.
- followers : 1045
- following : 2100
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/kunde2011
- username : kunde2011
- bio : Ut aut excepturi officiis maxime quis temporibus id. Rerum recusandae minus nam dolor mollitia.
- followers : 6671
- following : 455
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@ambrose6468
- username : ambrose6468
- bio : Rerum sunt ea qui. Id velit qui assumenda exercitationem.
- followers : 2154
- following : 324
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/ambrosekunde
- username : ambrosekunde
- bio : Dicta aliquid rerum autem enim optio esse. Blanditiis molestiae ipsum sed. Nulla aut ducimus aspernatur corporis exercitationem.
- followers : 1419
- following : 513
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/ambrosekunde
- username : ambrosekunde
- bio : Voluptatum eos et saepe exercitationem.
- followers : 2324
- following : 2247
