Disney Unveils 'Wizards Beyond Waverly Place' Finale Trailer as Streaming and TV Updates Roll In

Disney has officially released the trailer for the Wizards Beyond Waverly Place four-part finale event, giving fans a first glimpse at several returning characters and setting up a high-stakes family mission. All four episodes are scheduled to premiere on August 4 on Disney Channel, with the full collection becoming available on Disney+ the following day, August 5.

According to the official synopsis, Billie is still grappling with the loss of Alex at the end of Season 2. She discovers that the only path to rescuing her mother requires reuniting with her long-lost father. As the family rallies to locate Alex, Billie comes to understand that their combined power represents the sole means by which the Russos can overcome the evil threatening them.

Returning Faces and Guest Cast

The trailer offers a first look at the return of Jennifer Stone as Harper Finkle and Gregg Sulkin as Mason Greyback. The main cast features David Henrie as Justin Russo, 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.

Brandon Micheal Hall will guest star as Damien Penwulf, identified as Billie's father. Additional guest cast members include Maria Canals-Barrera as Theresa Russo, Ramon Reed as Silas Evilini, and Tobias Jelinek as Lord Morsus.

Notably, Selena Gomez will make her directorial debut with the premiere episode. She is also set to reprise her role as Alex Russo across multiple episodes. Behind the scenes, Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas serve as writers and executive producers. Gary Marsh, Jonas Agin, Rick Williams, Gomez, and Henrie also executive produce. The original Wizards of Waverly Place aired from 2007 to 2012 and was created by Todd Greenwald.

Apple TV's 'Where's Wanda?' Returns for Season 2

Apple TV's German-language dark comedy Where's Wanda? is set to return for its second season on Wednesday, October 21. The series stars Heike Makatsch, Axel Stein, Lea Drinda, Leo Simon, and Nikeata Thompson.

The official synopsis indicates that the Klatt family believed their lives were finally returning to normal. However, their daughter Wanda, played by Drinda, is found seemingly red-handed, standing over a dead body. The family must do everything within their power to prove her innocence and avoid losing her once again. Their search for the real murderer leads them into the criminal underbelly of their otherwise quiet suburban town.

The series is produced by UFA Fiction and based on a story by Zoltan Spirandelli. It was created, written, and executive produced by Oliver Lansley, known for Flack. Nataly Kudiabor and Oliver Ossege also serve as executive producers. Obi Baumann, known for Faking Hitler, and Christian Ditter, known for How to be Single, are set to direct episodes.

Renewals, Specials, and Events

Nebula has renewed its competition series Abolish Everything for a third season. Hosted by Chandler Dean and developed by the team behind Jet Lag: The Game, the show follows comedian-abolitionists who roast a pet peeve they want banned from society. A panel called The Political Establishment improvises counter-arguments, and the audience crowns a winner for each episode. Winners then compete in a World Championship finale.

Showrunner and director Amy Muller expressed excitement for the new season, noting that the production will bring back familiar faces, introduce new favorites, and experiment with a themed episode. Dean executive produces alongside hosting duties, while Nebula founder Dave Wiskus and Nebula CCO Sam Denby also serve as executive producers. The first two seasons are currently streaming on Nebula.

In the realm of digital content, a new series called Picky Eaters debuted this Tuesday on TikTok and Instagram. Each episode features a picky eater presenting their least favorite ingredient and challenging chefs to craft a dish they would enjoy. If neither meal proves appetizing, the winner is determined by what the picky eater finds least repulsive. Hosted by Mehreen Reenie Karim from Next Level Chef, the first episode features Jaeki Cho, founder of the social media series Righteous Eats. The series represents the first collaboration under the partnership between Mad Realities and Fox Creator Studios.

Alice Ma, CEO and co-founder of Mad Realities, stated that the goal is to platform a dynamic food scene in New York full of rising stars and direct-to-consumer audiences that may not be featured on typical network television.

On the awards front, Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria will receive the 2026 International Emmy Founders Award. The honor will be presented at the 54th International Emmy Awards Gala on November 23 in New York City. International Academy President and CEO Bruce L. Paisner described Bajaria as one of the most consequential executives in television today, praising her global content operation and leadership in producing celebrated programming. Past recipients of the award include Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, J.J. Abrams, Shonda Rhimes, and Dana Walden.

Fox Announces 'Special Forces' Season 5 Cast

Fox has revealed its lineup of all-star celebrity recruits for the fifth season of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, premiering September 24 on Fox and available the next day on Hulu. The celebrity recruits include Matt Barnes, Alycia Baumgardner, Candace Cameron Bure, David Charvet, Brandi Glanville, Collin Gosselin, Oliver Hudson, LeSean McCoy, Maxim Naumov, Ruby Rose, George Santos, Hannah Stocking, Breana Tiesi, Alexia Umansky, and Mauricio Umansky.

The recruits will be deployed in Malaysia and tested in a hostile jungle environment. They will face uncomfortable conditions, unpredictable terrain, and jungle warfare tasks, including searching for an underground bunker to locate military weapons, enduring chemical gassing, and completing a supply load retrieval while suspended 300 feet in the air. Recruits leave the show if they give up, fail, suffer injury, or are removed by the directing staff, which consists of ex-special forces operatives Rudy Reyes, Billy Billingham, Jason Foxy Fox, and Jovon Q Quarles. The series is produced by Minnow Films, with Becky Clarke, Liam Humphreys, and Dave Sutton serving as executive producers.

From magical family reunions to jungle survival challenges, this week's television and streaming announcements span a remarkably wide spectrum. Which of these upcoming premieres, renewals, or casting reveals are you most excited about? Share this article with fellow viewers and let the conversation begin.

Source: Variety