*Season two of “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” currently airing on Disney Channel and streaming in full on October 8 on Disney+, brings the Russo family into a new era of magical and emotional challenges. For David Henrie, who reprises his role as Justin Russo, the shift marks a defining moment in his character’s journey.
“Justin is really stepping into his father’s shoes. This is a place he’s never been before, but I think something he’s always wanted and always expected. So I think he feels utterly fulfilled,” Henrie shared. “Things aren’t like what they were in the original show… Magic starts to unlock a lot of scary things that start to happen.”
The season’s cast features Janice LeAnn Brown as Billie, Alkaio Thiele as Roman Russo, Max Matenko as Milo Russo, Taylor Cora as Winter, and Mimi Gianopulos as Giada Russo, with guest appearances by series executive producer Selena Gomez alongside Freya Skye, Harvey Guillén, Kirsten Vangsness, Bill Chott, Sean Whalen, Amanda Tepe, Recker Eans, Tobias Jelinek, Patrick Bristow, and Eleanor Sweeney.
Henrie teased that the new season expands on both scale and emotion. “This season is bigger in many ways, but especially in the realm of emotion, there’s some big jaw-dropping moments,” he said. “We really add [serialized elements] in the show, which is kind of uncommon for the sitcom, and we’re excited. We push the envelope, and I hope people will soak that in.”
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For Brown, the new episodes offer deeper insight into her character’s growth and vulnerability. “She’s definitely had so much growth already,” Brown explained. “In the beginning, she had this huge wall built up for herself… I think that’s a very common thing that a lot of us tend to do.”
As Billie learns to open up, she also faces the pressures of the Family Wizard Competition. “She’s very competitive, but I think she’s finding that family element out of it,” Brown added. “She’s really learning a lot from the Russos and Winter.”
Henrie noted that this season also tests Justin in new ways as both a mentor and a father figure. “This is all new for him. He’s never taught magic. Last season, he rejected it. This season he’s really embracing it. You see a joy to him that only comes when people embrace their natural gifts. He really embraces that.”
While much of the plot remains under wraps, both actors hinted at a looming danger that could upend everything. “It’s very threatening,” Brown said. “For multiple different reasons, you know, for the safety of the Russo’s also for the safety of Billy herself… there’s definitely going to be a lot going on.”
Henrie added, “The prophecy… turns into this big thing that snowballs downhill and can affect everything that everyone knows. It builds to this epic finale.”
He recalled that the emotional weight of the finale moved the entire crew. “When we read the season finale, half the set was in tears… It’s meaningful. It’s incredibly heartfelt, and it’ll choke you up.”
Reflecting on the ensemble’s growth, Henrie also praised the younger cast members. “All the kids really came into their own,” he said. “I saw that in all the kids this year… like, Janice, in particular, she did such a wonderful job. She’s trusting her instincts.”
He added, “I got to see all these kids really soar… And that’s what Selena (Gomez) said. She’s like, the kids are soaring.”
Watch our full conversation with David and Janice via the clip below.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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