Jennifer Stone on rejoining Selena Gomez in Wizards Beyond: 'Like a childhood best friend'
Synopsis
Jennifer Stone's return as Harper Finkle in Wizards Beyond wasn't just a TV comeback — it was, by her own account, a deeply personal reunion. Her tribute to Selena Gomez and the show's finale underscores why this Disney Channel revival stands apart: the original cast actually came back, and the emotion appears entirely unscripted.
Key Takeaways
Jennifer Stone returned as Harper Finkle in the Wizards of Waverly Place revival, Wizards Beyond , after more than a decade away.
Stone described reuniting with Selena Gomez on set as feeling like meeting a 'childhood best friend.' The revival's finale streamed on Disney Plus , with Stone sharing behind-the-scenes content on social media.
The original series ran for four seasons from October 2007 to January 2012 on Disney Channel , created by Todd J.
Stone also thanked co-star Gregg Sulkin and the full Wizards Beyond cast and crew in her post.
Actress Jennifer Stone, who plays Harper Finkle in the Wizards of Waverly Place franchise, has opened up about returning to the beloved Disney series after more than a decade, saying that reuniting with co-star Selena Gomez felt as though no time had passed at all.
Stone's Emotional Return as Harper Finkle
Stone shared a series of photographs and behind-the-scenes clips from the set of the revival, accompanying them with a heartfelt caption that captured the emotional weight of stepping back into a role she last inhabited over ten years ago. 'Returning as Harper after more than ten years was wonderfully weird in the best way. She was everything I needed as a teenager, and stepping back into her shoes felt like reuniting with a childhood best friend,' Stone wrote.
She went on to express her gratitude for the experience, adding: 'It made my heart so happy to be working with @selenagomez and @greggsulkin jumping right back into our comedy roots as if no time had passed. Thank you to @disneychannel and the entire @disneywizardsbeyond cast and crew for the gift of getting to step into Harper's themed shoes once again.'
Finale on Disney Plus
Stone also addressed fans directly, signing off with characteristic warmth: 'I hope you loved the finale on @disneyplus as much as we loved making it for you. Until next time, Miss Finkle.' The message suggests a genuine affection for the character and leaves the door open for future appearances, though nothing has been formally announced.
About the Original Series
Wizards of Waverly Place is a fantasy teen sitcom created by Todd J. Greenwald that aired for four seasons between October 2007 and January 2012 on Disney Channel. The show centred on Alex Russo, a teenage wizard living on Waverly Place in the Greenwich Village neighbourhood of New York City, who trains alongside her brothers Justin and Max — all three siblings possessing magical abilities and ultimately destined to compete for sole custody of their family's powers.
The series wove together themes of family, friendship, and adolescence with fantasy elements, following Alex as she navigated the social challenges of youth while keeping her powers hidden — and frequently using them irresponsibly along the way.
Why the Revival Resonates
The return of Stone and Gomez to the franchise, now extended through Disney Plus under the banner Wizards Beyond, taps into a deep well of millennial and Gen Z nostalgia. Notably, this is one of the few Disney Channel revivals to reunite its principal cast, lending it an authenticity that reboots without original stars often lack. For Stone, the reunion appears to have been as much a personal milestone as a professional one.
Point of View
And most stumble by recasting or reimagining rather than reassembling. What makes the Wizards Beyond reunion notable is precisely what Stone's post captures — the original cast returned, and the affection reads as genuine rather than contractual. Selena Gomez's trajectory from Disney teen star to global pop icon makes her return to this franchise a rare act of nostalgia that carries real cultural weight. The question mainstream coverage skips is whether Disney can sustain that goodwill beyond a finale moment, or whether this is a one-off designed to anchor Disney Plus subscriber retention rather than a genuine creative recommitment to the franchise.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jennifer Stone and what role does she play in Wizards of Waverly Place?
Jennifer Stone is an American actress best known for playing Harper Finkle, the best friend of the lead character Alex Russo, in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place. She reprised the role in the revival series Wizards Beyond, which streamed its finale on Disney Plus.
What did Jennifer Stone say about working with Selena Gomez again?
Stone said the experience felt like 'reuniting with a childhood best friend,' describing the return as 'wonderfully weird in the best way.' She added that jumping back into their comedy roots with Gomez felt as though no time had passed.
What is Wizards Beyond and where can it be watched?
Wizards Beyond is a revival of the original Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place, which ran from 2007 to 2012. The revival, including its finale, is available to stream on Disney Plus.
When did the original Wizards of Waverly Place air?
The original series aired for four seasons on Disney Channel between October 2007 and January 2012. It was created by Todd J. Greenwald and centred on the Russo family of teenage wizards living in Greenwich Village, New York City.
Did Selena Gomez return for the Wizards Beyond revival?
Yes, Selena Gomez returned to the franchise alongside Jennifer Stone and Gregg Sulkin. Stone's social media post specifically tagged Gomez and Sulkin, crediting the reunion as a highlight of the revival's production.
