“Just feels right”: Selena Gomez steps back into Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2 as cameo star

Selena Gomez is officially back—and briefly—into the wizarding world of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, that started her off as a global star. The pop star-actress reprised her role as Alex Russo in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2, following a rebooted hit that brought the Russo family members onto TV screens for the first time in more than a decade. Gomez guest stars in the new series, solidifying her ongoing devotion to Disney's franchise.

According to Deadline, Gomez posted a behind-the-scenes image featuring her sitting on the set of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2, holding a wand, captioning it simply but ominously: "Just feels right." Her comeback is as much a throwback trip to the heart of Wizards of Waverly Place fanbase as it is a sequel to her producing stint as an executive producer on the spin-off show.

Her on-screen comeback is brief and is incorporated into a new storyline that concludes the first-generation characters' legacy for a second generation of teenage wizards.

Role of Selena Gomez in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2

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Selena Gomez's Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2 guest star role will be the actress's second appearance after she first guest-starred in Season 1's finale, when she returned to play Alex Russo. Although she won't be part of the show's regular cast in the next season, periodic appearances are still necessary to make things function smoothly and satisfy the audience. The brief appearance was filmed around early June 2025, while filming continued in Los Angeles.

The showrunners have been careful to keep Gomez's character less of an anchor point and more of a narrative tool. Her guest appearances will also be involved in the ongoing build-up of the new, original characters introduced in Season 1, such as Billie, Roman, and Milo, who now become the focal point of the new age of the wizarding world.

Extended executive producer role

Although Gomez is not officially a series regular cast member, she is also an executive producer, and David Henrie, who plays the character Justin Russo, is reprising a recurring on-screen role. Executive producers Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas are back to helm Season 2, continuing their creative process by building upon older elements of the original series and introducing new ideas for the next generation.

Gomez has also been riding shotgun in the background. She's spent time developing script and character, helping to decide how the nostalgia and new storylines could be blended together. Her role is considered critical to remain loyal to the substance of the original series.

Returning cast and new characters in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place season 2

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Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2 brings back some series regulars, beginning with David Henrie as Justin Russo—a non-wizard by choice, trying to live a magic-free life with his family. Janice LeAnn Brown as Billie, Alkaio Thiele as Roman Russo, and Max Matenko as Milo Russo complete the regular cast. Billie, the teenager and mighty wizard, is taking the lead for the new wizard stories, particularly as she masters teaching Justin's kids.

The remainder of the lead cast includes Taylor Cora (Winter) and Mimi Gianopulos (Giada). Guest starring are Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise, the original Theresa and Jerry Russo actors, returning from the spin-off to the parent show for the second time. The series tries to look forward but not cut itself off from its roots by bringing back both old and new actors.

Direction of storyline in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2

Season 2 continues where Season 1 left off, with Billie having already been discovered to be a wizard and beginning training with Justin. The second season will see the development of an anticipated family wizard tournament, where Roman and Milo battle each other in a magic fight, recalling the show's brother-sister rivalry arc.

Meanwhile, another external threat is lurking in the wings, one that will not only impact the young wizards but also the very unity of the magical realm. The Alex Russo cameo appearance will serve to deliver wisecracks and maybe even an early warning sign, setting up higher-stakes conflicts. While her screen time will be just a few minutes, it is still important to the show's developing motifs.

Series renewal and performance

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Wizards Beyond Waverly Place debuted on Disney Channel and Disney+ on October 29, 2024, and became an overnight hit. Within 12 days of its global release, it garnered 3.2 million views and was among the biggest Disney Channel launches in years. Due to strong word of mouth, Disney formally renewed Season 2 on March 31, 2025.

Critical reaction was generally positive, with audiences appreciating the blend of old and new elements. All but the most resistant die-hards embraced the tone of the sequel, which was lighthearted and nostalgic. It touched briefly on generational transition in the Russo family.

What to expect ahead of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2

There is no official release date announced for Season 2 of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, but a Fall 2025 release window is planned based on production schedules as of now. Production is continuing in Los Angeles and will finish principal photography by late summer.

The new season will include numerous guest star cameos, additional world-building in the magical community, and more backstory for Billie and the Russo siblings. Although Selena Gomez will not be present frequently, her legacy as the original lead and her role as a producer influence the course of the show.

Although Selena Gomez's guest stint in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2 is brief, her comeback is a nostalgic nod to the show's original fans, individuals who, like her, have grown up with Alex Russo. As an executive producer and guest actress, Gomez helps the show strike a balance between the nostalgia of yesteryears and the storytelling needs of this new generation.