Now that the sequel series has ended its three-season run, “Wizards of Waverly Place” star Jake T. Austin has finally opened up about not being included in “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.”
Austin, who played youngest sibling Max Russo on all four seasons of the hit Disney Channel sitcom, was the only key cast member from the original show to not appear in the revival, which aired for three seasons on Disney Channel and follows Justin Russo (David Henrie) as a dad training his own children to be wizards.
“To all the Wizard fans, just wanted to say for the record how disappointed I am to have not been included in the spinoff,” Austin wrote on Instagram on Aug. 6, two days after the “Beyond Waverly Place” series finale. “I was asked back in 2020 if I was interested in reprising my role and said that I was 100% in. Unfortunately, the powers that be decided to take the show in a different direction and my character wasn’t part of the equation.”
Austin continued, “Even though I wasn’t involved, I still have nothing but love for my former castmates and wish them continued success. Thank you to all the fans who watched over the years. The show wouldn’t be what it is without your endless support.”
