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It’s been over a decade since Wizards of Waverly Place enchanted audiences with its mix of humor, magic, and family dynamics. Originally airing on Disney Channel from 2007 to 2012, the series followed the Russo siblings as they balanced teenage life with their training in wizardry beneath their family’s New York sub shop. Now, with renewed interest sparked by the possibility of a reboot and the enduring legacy of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, fans are asking: where are the characters now, and what are the actors who played them doing in 2025?
Let’s examine the current lives of the Wizards of Waverly Place characters and their real-world counterparts.
Alex Russo: Waverly Place’s most powerful wizard then and now
Alex Russo’s Waverly Place legacy continues in-universe
Alex Russo, once the rebellious and witty middle child, is now the Sorceress Supreme of the wizarding world. After winning the family wizard competition, Alex assumed a key role in magical governance. Known for blending sarcasm with brilliance, she now oversees the International Wizarding Council from a hidden annex beneath Waverly Place. She continues to advocate for the ethical use of magic, occasionally popping up in New York for magical emergencies.
Selena Gomez post-Waverly Place: pop star, producer, and advocate
Selena Gomez, who brought Alex to life, has built a powerhouse career since Wizards of Waverly Place. In 2024, Gomez wrapped her role in the critically acclaimed Hulu series Only Murders in the Building and released a chart-topping album, “SG4.” She is also an executive producer of multiple projects, including the 13 Reasons Why series and the upcoming reboot of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. Beyond entertainment, Gomez remains a vocal mental health advocate, spearheading Rare Beauty’s Rare Impact Fund.
Justin Russo: Waverly Place’s brainiac turned headmaster
Justin Russo’s Waverly Place journey post-series
In-universe, Justin Russo took over as the headmaster of WizTech, the prestigious wizarding school. Known for his diligence and discipline, he modernized the curriculum and brought inclusivity reforms to magical education. Justin’s relationship with Juliet, the reformed vampire, remains strong, with the couple now mentoring young interspecies magical couples.
David Henrie beyond Waverly Place: actor, director, and father
David Henrie has expanded his portfolio beyond acting. After co-writing and directing the 2020 film This Is the Year, Henrie has continued developing film and television projects. In 2023, he reunited with Gomez for the upcoming Wizards Beyond Waverly Place pilot, which he also helped produce. Off-screen, Henrie is a proud father of three and active in faith-based community initiatives.
Max Russo: Waverly Place’s comic relief finds new depth
Max Russo’s post-Waverly Place life in the wizard world
Max Russo, long known as the unpredictable and goofy youngest sibling, now runs a chain of magical delis called “Maximagic.” While he forfeited his wizard powers to keep the family sandwich shop open, he retained limited magical privileges. Max now hosts a cooking show on Wizard TV, merging magical ingredients with human world cuisine.
Jake T. Austin post-Waverly Place: film roles and voice acting
Jake T. Austin has had a dynamic career post-show. He voiced Diego in Dora and Friends and played Jesus Foster in The Fosters. More recently, he has ventured into indie films and animated voice roles. In 2024, Austin voiced a character in the Netflix animated series Celestial Squad and teased involvement in the Wizards Beyond Waverly Place reboot.
Harper Finkle: Waverly Place’s fashionista turned spell designer
Harper Finkle in Wizards today
Harper Finkle, Alex’s best friend and once a mere mortal, is now an honorary witch thanks to her dedication and service to the wizarding world. She runs a boutique called “Witch Stitch” in Waverly Place, where she designs enchanted clothing and accessories. Harper also writes a popular magical fashion column.
Jennifer Stone, after Wizards: nurse and indie creator
Jennifer Stone took an unexpected yet inspiring turn. After retiring from acting for a time, she became a registered nurse and served during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stone returned to creative projects in 2023, co-writing and starring in the indie comedy The In-Betweeners. She has expressed interest in making a cameo in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.
Theresa Russo: Waverly Place’s matriarch keeps the family grounded
Theresa Russo in Wizards lore
Theresa Russo remains the non-magical backbone of the Russo family. Still running the sub shop with her husband Jerry, she now mentors young humans married into wizard families. Theresa also founded “Moms of Magic,” a support group for non-magical parents raising wizard children.
Maria Canals-Barrera post-Wizards: family-focused acting
Maria Canals-Barrera has stayed active in television and film, recently appearing in Cristela and voicing characters in animated features. She also frequently attends Disney fan events and has publicly supported the Wizards Beyond Waverly Place revival, hinting at a return in a mentorship role.
Jerry Russo: Waverly Place’s mentor and family man
Jerry Russo’s continued influence in Wizards
Jerry Russo, once the family wizard and now a magical consultant, continues to help young wizards adjust to human world life. He co-hosts a podcast with Harper titled “Waverly Whispers,” discussing wizarding issues with a human twist. Jerry is also authoring a memoir titled Spells, Sandwiches & Sincerity.
David DeLuise beyond Wizards: TV guest spots and fan conventions
David DeLuise has remained a fan favorite, frequently appearing at conventions and reprising roles in nostalgic projects. In 2024, he guest-starred in the Netflix sitcom Rewind Room and directed a few episodes of Young Sheldon. He continues to champion family-friendly entertainment.
Zeke Beakerman: Waverly Place’s inventor and magical scholar
Zeke’s Wizards role in the present day
Zeke, Harper’s ex-boyfriend and a once-awkward tech nerd, is now a professor at WizTech. Specializing in techno-magic integration, Zeke is developing a new generation of wand-tech hybrids. He also runs a magical invention blog followed by millions.
Dan Benson post-Wizards: unexpected career shift
Dan Benson made headlines for shifting into adult content creation, where he found surprising success and used his platform to advocate for safe online practices. Recently, he hinted at returning to mainstream media with a role in an upcoming dramedy series.
Juliet Van Heusen: Waverly Place’s vampire with a cause
Juliet’s evolving presence in Waverly Place
Juliet has become a key liaison between vampires and wizards. Working alongside Justin Russo, she promotes interspecies harmony and is co-directing the Wiz-Vamp Conference 2025. Her ageless beauty and compassion continue to inspire magical youth.
Bridgit Mendler now: CEO and academic achiever
Bridgit Mendler pivoted from acting to tech and academics. She co-founded a space communications startup, Northwood Space, and is pursuing a law degree from Harvard. While largely out of the spotlight, she remains a respected figure in both entertainment and STEM circles.
Wrapping up the magic of the show
The cast and characters of Wizards of Waverly Place continue to inspire a new generation of fans. From enchanted delis to Harvard classrooms, their journeys reflect both magical growth and real-world impact. With the upcoming Wizards Beyond Waverly Place revival on the horizon, the Russo family and their friends may be casting spells on our screens once again.
Stay tuned—the magic of the show is far from over.