Jennifer Stone, the beloved star from the original Wizards of Waverly Place, is set to make a magical return for the third and final season of the spinoff series, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. The announcement was made on Friday, 17 April 2026, via social media, confirming that Stone will reprise her role as Harper, the non-magical friend of protagonist Alex Russo, played by Selena Gomez.
Reunion on Set
The network shared the exciting news with a post that read, "Guess who's back?" alongside two images of Stone and Gomez together on set. This marks Stone's first on-screen appearance since the 2019 romantic comedy Santa Girl, and her return is highly anticipated by fans of the franchise.
Final Season Details
The fantasy reboot, which debuted in 2022 as a sequel to the late 2000s Disney Channel sitcom, will air its concluding season this summer. While an exact premiere date has not been announced, it will be available on both Disney+ and Disney Channel. The series follows Justin Russo, portrayed by David Henrie, as he embraces mortality to live with his family, with new challenges arising when Alex introduces him to Billie, a wizard-in-training needing mentorship.
Cast Reunions and Absences
In addition to Gomez and Henrie, the revival has welcomed back original cast members David DeLuise and Maria Canals-Barrera, who play the parents of the Russo siblings. However, Jake T. Austin, who portrayed the younger brother Max in the original series, has not appeared in the spinoff. The premiere episode explained that his character is off running a successful sandwich shop franchise he took over for his father.
Stone's Career Pivot
Jennifer Stone, now 33, has had a diverse career path. She began acting at age six, with her screen debut in the 2003 family comedy Secondhand Lions. After her diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes at age 20, she took a hiatus from acting to pursue nursing. She graduated from nursing school in 2019 and has been working as an emergency room nurse at Providence Saint John Medical Center in Burbank, California.
In a 2024 interview with People, Stone explained her decision to switch careers, stating, "I was like, 'Okay, let me pivot from majoring in psychology to majoring in something that I can further understand myself better and what's going on with my body and also be able to help people.'" She added that she wanted to be someone who could reassure others, saying, "Look, I've been where you've been, and it gets better."
Legacy of the Original Series
The original Wizards of Waverly Place aired for four seasons on Disney Channel, becoming a beloved sitcom. Gomez and Stone were 15 and 14, respectively, during the first season, and their on-screen chemistry helped cement the show's popularity. The spinoff, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, has continued this legacy, and Stone's return promises to add a nostalgic touch to the final season.
As fans eagerly await the summer premiere, this reunion highlights the enduring appeal of the Wizards franchise and the personal journeys of its stars. With Stone's comeback, the final season is poised to deliver a fitting conclusion to this magical chapter in Disney Channel history.
