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EXCLUSIVE: Excitement is clearly brewing for the premiere of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, as the trailer has already set a record for Disney Channel.
The trailer for the sequel series has amassed 69M views across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube in the 10 days post-launch, making it Disney Channel’s most-watched trailer for a comedy series ever.
This is a promising early indicator for the highly anticipated series, which marks the beginnings of Disney Branded Television’s latest foray into multi-camera comedies for Disney Channel — which have historically been some of the network’s most successful. Wizards of Waverly Place performed well when it aired from 2007 to 2012 and was among the top scripted series on TV for young audiences.
Disney is certainly hoping that the upcoming revival will attract a big audience, especially given the return of David Henrie and Selena Gomez. Other guest appearances from the original cast have already been teased, including the third Russo sibling, Jake T. Austin.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place follows an adult Justin Russo (David Henrie), who has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family. When Justin’s sister Alex (Selena Gomez) brings Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) to his home seeking help, Justin realizes he must dust off his magical skills to mentor the wizard-in-training while also juggling his everyday responsibilities — and safeguarding the future of the Wizard World.
The series also stars Alkaio Thiele (as Roman Russo), Max Matenko (as Milo Russo), Taylor Cora (as Winter) and Mimi Gianopulos (as Giada Russo). Gomez will guest star in the first episode, and Henrie has already confirmed she will appear in later episodes as well.
Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas serve as writers and executive producers, along with executive producers Gary Marsh, Jonas Agin, Gomez and Henrie. Andy Fickman directed and executive-produced the pilot and will direct multiple episodes. Wizards of Waverly Place was created by Todd Greenwald.
