Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Scores Renewal — But Season 3 Will Be the Last

Well, it looks like Disney is officially bringing Wizards Beyond Waverly Place back for one final ride. Yes—Season 3 is happening, but before fans get too excited, here’s the twist: this is the grand finale. We’re getting a four-part send-off, the last chance to revisit the Russo family and their wizarding drama. Shooting is starting next week, and the episodes are supposed to hit Disney+, Disney Channel, and On Demand later this summer.

Selena Gomez: Back in Her Wizards Robes, This Time With a Director’s Chair

Maybe the most headline-worthy bit: Selena Gomez isn’t just coming back as Alex Russo—she’s making her directorial debut with the Season 3 premiere. So yes, she’s acting, guest-starring, executive producing, and now directing. That’s a lot of hats for one set, but honestly, if anyone’s going to direct a Wizards episode, Gomez makes sense.

Here’s What’s Going Down in Season 3

Plot-wise, we’re picking up right after the events of last season. Billie (played by Janice LeAnn Brown) is still struggling after losing her mom Alex at the end of Season 2. The new hook? The only way to actually save her is to team up with her long-lost dad. I know, big soap vibes for a family comedy, but that’s been the show’s bread and butter. The family squad has to locate Alex, which—shocker—ends up being the only way they can take on the season's big bad.

"As her family bands together to find Alex, Billie realizes that their combined power is the only way the Russos can defeat the evil plaguing them."

Cast and Crew Breakdown

• Selena Gomez as Alex Russo – also guest star, executive producer, and director of the premiere
• David Henrie as Justin Russo
• Janice LeAnn Brown as Billie
• Alkaio Thiele as Roman Russo
• Max Matenko as Milo Russo
• Taylor Cora as Winter
• Mimi Gianopulos as Giada Russo

The scripts are coming from Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, who are also executive producers. The show itself is built off Todd J. Greenwald’s original Wizards of Waverly Place bones, so it keeps ties to the OG series. There’s a healthy list of executive producers riding shotgun (Gary Marsh, Jonas Agin, Rick Williams, Gomez herself, and David Henrie).

Final Thoughts

So, if you were hoping Wizards Beyond Waverly Place had a few more years to run, sorry—Disney’s wrapping it up, but at least they’re going out with a planned, concentrated finale (instead of just quietly dumping it). Four episodes, big stakes, and a heap of nostalgia, especially with Gomez at the helm for the first time. I’d honestly call that a worthy sendoff, even if the episode count feels more like a mini-series than a real season.