Selena Gomez to Direct Final Season of 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place'

The pop star will also reprise her role as Alex Russo in the third and last installment of the 'Wizards of Waverly Place' reboot.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:20pm

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A bold, abstract illustration featuring stark black silhouettes of wizarding wands and magical symbols against a high-contrast red and white background, conceptually representing the fantastical world of 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place'.Selena Gomez returns to the magical world of 'Wizards' as both director and star for the final season of the hit Disney+ reboot.Los Angeles Today

Disney announced that the 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' reboot series will return for a third and final season, with Selena Gomez set to make her directorial debut on the premiere episode. Gomez will also reprise her role as Alex Russo, the lead character from the original 'Wizards of Waverly Place' Disney Channel show that launched her to stardom.

Why it matters

The 'Wizards' franchise has a dedicated fanbase, and Gomez's involvement as both a director and actor will likely drive significant interest and viewership for the final season. As a pop superstar, Gomez's return to her breakout role is a notable event that connects her current fame to her Disney Channel roots.

The details

The third season of 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' will be a 'four-part event' featuring the return of original cast members David Henrie, Alkaio Thiele, Max Matenko, Taylor Cora and Mimi Gianopulos. Gomez's character Alex Russo, who sacrificed herself at the end of season two, will also make an appearance. The new season will pick up where the previous one left off, with Billie, played by Janice LeAnn Brown, moving forward after the loss of Alex.

  • The 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' reboot will go into production in the first full week of April 2026.
  • The third and final season is set to premiere later in 2026.

The players

Selena Gomez

An American singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to fame on the Disney Channel series 'Wizards of Waverly Place'. She is set to direct the premiere episode of the final season of the 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' reboot and will also reprise her role as Alex Russo.

Janice LeAnn Brown

The actress who plays Billie, the leading lady of the 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' reboot series.

David Henrie

An American actor who starred in the original 'Wizards of Waverly Place' series and is set to return for the final season of the reboot.

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What they’re saying

“This is what gave me everything that I have today, and I'll never forget that this is where I started. It's the best feeling in the whole world to be able to bring this back for you and to all the people who have never seen it before.”

— Selena Gomez

What’s next

Disney has not yet announced a specific premiere date for the third and final season of 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place', but it is expected to air sometime in 2026.

The takeaway

The return of the 'Wizards' franchise, with Selena Gomez at the helm as both a director and actor, represents a nostalgic and high-profile conclusion to a beloved Disney Channel series that launched Gomez's career. Fans of the original show and the reboot will be eager to see how the story concludes.