Disney Channel Orders Wizards of Waverly Place Revival; Paramount+ Animated Comedy Ark: The Animated Series

Monday, March 25, 2024

Disney Channel Orders Wizards of Waverly Place Revival; Paramount+ Animated Comedy Ark: The Animated Series

Disney Channel announced a series greenlight for Wizards (working title), a continuation of the Emmy® Award-winning Wizards of Waverly Place, one of the most beloved franchises in the network's history. From Disney Branded Television, production on the new series begins next month in Los Angeles and is slated to premiere later this year on Disney Channel and Disney+. Aimed at kids and their families, the new series reunites two-time Emmy and Golden Globe® Award-nominated Selena Gomez and David Henrie as Alex and Justin Russo, respectively, who also serve as executive producers. Gomez will guest star in the premiere episode, while Henrie will appear in a leading series-regular role. New series regular Max Matenko (Platonic) plays Justin's youngest son, Milo, and joins the previously announced cast, including Janice LeAnn Brown (Disney's Just Roll with It) in the lead role as a young, powerful wizard Billie; Alkaio Thiele (Marvel's Spidey and his Amazing Friends) as Justin's oldest son, Roman; and Mimi Gianopulos (Rutherford Falls) as Justin's wife, Giada. The series follows an adult Justin Russo, who has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family, Giada, Roman and Milo. When Justin's sister Alex brings Billie 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.

Ark: The Animated Series

Paramount+ announced that the first six episodes of Ark: The Animated Series, an all-new original series based on the hit adventure video game ARK: Survival Evolved, are available to stream now exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada. The series will debut in all other Paramount+ international markets starting Friday, April 19. Part two of the season will debut with seven new episodes at a later date. The animated series voice cast includes Oscar® winners Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Russell Crowe (The Loudest Voice), Gerard Butler (Plane), David Tennant (Doctor Who), Oscar nominees Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction) and Elliot Page (The Umbrella Academy), Madeleine Madden (The Wheel of Time), and Vin Diesel (Fast & Furious franchise). An animated adaptation of the hit video game featuring Yeoh, Butler, Crowe and Diesel, Ark: The Animated Series is a sweeping saga spanning eons of human history. When 21st century paleontologist Helena Walker (Madden) finds herself resurrected on a mysterious primeval island populated by prehistoric beasts, she must learn to survive with new allies from throughout time, while trying to uncover the true nature of their strange new world.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, April 8

St. Denis Medical - "People Just Say Stuff Online" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Ron's bedside manner earns him a complaint from a frustrated patient; Alex insists an unflattering online review was not about her; Bruce confronts his high-school bully.

Night Court - "The Jakeout" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After learning that Jake has never been in a long-term relationship, Abby is determined to find his secret dealbreaker; Dan and Julianne go head to head to prove they don't have feelings for each other.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "House of Cards" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Calvin finds himself in the middle of a feud he doesn't want to be part of; Jazmine learns she has more time than she thinks to plan her life.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Who's Bad" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Vinny goes looking for the thief of his missing, mouth-watering ribs, with the help of Jeremy and the entire house is under investigation; while Philip tries to be tough to win over Chilecia's brother and former gang member.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 31)

Tuesday, April 8

David Alan Grier (St. Denis Medical/Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Cool Kids/The Carmichael Show/Bad Teacher/Life with Bonnie/DAG) - Catch David on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Woody Harrelson (Cheers) - Woody takes "The Colbert Questionert" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones/The Unicorn/Vice Principals) - Walton appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also drops by Live with Kelly and Mark to talk all things The White Lotus, so check your local listings.
Kyle Richards (Down to Earth) - E! News has an interview with Kyle at 11pm on E!.
Bradley Whitford (Perfect Harmony/Trophy Wife) - Bradley talks about The Handmaid's Tale on Live with Kelly and Mark (check your local listings) and on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
Brian Tyree Henry (HouseBroken/Atlanta) - Brian talks about Dope Thief on NBC's Today in the 10am hour He will also be on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis at 7pm.
Marsai Martin (black-ish) - Marsai talks about G20 on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am. She also chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Leslie David Baker (The Office/Still the King) and Kate Flannery (The Office) - Leslie and Kate chat about the 20th anniversary of The Office on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Michael Angarano (Laid/I'm Dying Up Here/Will & Grace) - Michael talks about his film Sacramento on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
Carol Leifer (Alright Already) - Carol is a guest on New York Living on WPIX in New York at 10:05am.