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

Thursday, June 12

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "Working for the Enemy" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Audrey’s past rears its head when Georgie leaves the tire store to work for Fred Fagenbacher (Matt Letscher), Jim’s longtime nemesis, and Mandy struggles to keep peace in the house.

Ghosts - "It’s the End of the World as We Know It and What Were We Talking About?" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Flower interferes with the opening of Jay’s restaurant based on a prophecy from her old cult leader.

Bob's Burgers - "The Place Beyond the Pinecones" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Tina and the Thundergirls spend the night in the woods, and Tina faces something even scarier than her nemesis, Troop 257.

Grimsburg - "Loosey Goosey" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Flute and Martinez butt heads as they're sent on a literal wild goose chase.

Family Guy - "Live, Laugh, Love" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Peter realizes Joe has never found him funny, he is determined to make Joe laugh; Lois chaperones Chris and Meg's school trip, where she strives to reunite the principal with his long-lost love.

The Great North - "MIB: Men in Belts Adventure" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Beef and Walt's best-friendship is put to the test; Wolf and Honeybee team up with the Tuntleys to catch some thieves.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of June 9)

Thursday, June 12

Sam Rockwell (F Is for Family) - Catch Sam on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Julianne Moore (Sirens) - Julianne appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Marc Maron (GLOW/Maron) - Marc is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Jurnee Smollett (Cosby/On Our Own/Full House) - Jurnee stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers) - Steve makes a special appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Cynthia Nixon (And Just Like That.../Sex and the City) and Ricki Lake (The King of Queens) - Cynthia and Ricki are guests on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere/Nightcap) - Jeff is a guest on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Henry guest co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
James Marsden (Jury Duty/Dead to Me/30 Rock) and Ben Schwartz (The Afterparty/Space Force/Parks and Recreation) - James and Ben are telling Drew all about Sonic 3 on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) - Wilmer is a guest on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.