Photo: Eric McCandless/Disney Channel via GettyBetween monster hunters, werewolves and bad boys,Selena Gomez’s Alex Russo had her fair share of love interests inWizards of Waverly Place, but there was one unexplored storyline that the series creator wishes the show had explored further.Peter Murrieta, who wrote and produced the first three seasons of the hit Disney Channel series, revealed thatHayley Kiyoko’s Stevie — whose four-episode arc in the third season of the show saw her bond with Alex over their rebellious ways — was a character he had intended to be a romantic interest for the show’s protagonist.“We could have played more with the relationship between Stevie and Alex,” Murrieta said when asked about what storyline he wished he had explored further on the March 27 episode of PodCo’sWizards of Waverly Pod.“Right!” agreedJennifer Stone, who played Harper Finkle and co-hosts the podcast with David DeLuise, who played Jerry Russo.“But we weren’t able to in that time,” added Murrieta. “But it was pretty clear to all of us what that relationship was.“Murrieta added that, since theWizardsdays, “Disney Channel has had characters” who explore same-sex relationships, as Stevie and Alex would have, but “at that time, it wasn’t a thing.““But we got as close as we could. I mean… it was pretty close,” he said.Since its premiere in February, the podcast has taken a deep dive into theWizardsworld, revisiting old storylines (such as the spell Alex andDavid Henrie’s Justin used to redo their first kiss), exploring alternate ones and chatting to stars including Gomez herself, who appeared on the Feb. 27 episode.During her appearance on the podcast, Gomez emotionally admitted thather biggest regret was “not staying in touch” with her costarsafter the hit Disney Channel show ended in 2012.“I felt ashamed of the decisions that I made,” said the actress, 30. “I didn’t want you guys to see me in the state that I was in, because a. you would have told me the truth, which terrifies me, and b. I didn’t want to let you down.“Bruce Birmelin/ Disney Channel via GettyTheOnly Murders in the Buildingstar’s honesty touched both DeLuise and Stone,with Stone sharing that she previously blamed herself for the rift that formed between them. “I appreciate you saying that too because, to be perfectly blunt, there has been times where I’m like, ‘Did we stop being friends because I didn’t tell her what she wanted to hear?’ You know what I mean? So, I appreciate you being that honest.“DeLuise wiped away tears as he said, “That’s really sweet, and thank you for saying that. Obviously I miss you.“Eric McCandless/Disney Channel via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Gomez has often shared her appreciation for her time on the hit Disney show, evencomparing her character, Mabel, fromOnly Murdersto that of an older Alex-like figure.“I feel like Mabel is an older version of Alex in a way,” she said during an appearance onEntertainment Weekly’s Awardistpodcastin June.The actress also said that she “adored” being onWizardswhen she was younger, adding that the show’s cast “got really lucky” with the team running the show, and the freedom they had to play around. “I still look back at that and laugh at certain things just because I thought it was so fun, and we tried.”
Photo: Eric McCandless/Disney Channel via Getty
Between monster hunters, werewolves and bad boys,Selena Gomez’s Alex Russo had her fair share of love interests inWizards of Waverly Place, but there was one unexplored storyline that the series creator wishes the show had explored further.Peter Murrieta, who wrote and produced the first three seasons of the hit Disney Channel series, revealed thatHayley Kiyoko’s Stevie — whose four-episode arc in the third season of the show saw her bond with Alex over their rebellious ways — was a character he had intended to be a romantic interest for the show’s protagonist.“We could have played more with the relationship between Stevie and Alex,” Murrieta said when asked about what storyline he wished he had explored further on the March 27 episode of PodCo’sWizards of Waverly Pod.“Right!” agreedJennifer Stone, who played Harper Finkle and co-hosts the podcast with David DeLuise, who played Jerry Russo.“But we weren’t able to in that time,” added Murrieta. “But it was pretty clear to all of us what that relationship was.“Murrieta added that, since theWizardsdays, “Disney Channel has had characters” who explore same-sex relationships, as Stevie and Alex would have, but “at that time, it wasn’t a thing.““But we got as close as we could. I mean… it was pretty close,” he said.Since its premiere in February, the podcast has taken a deep dive into theWizardsworld, revisiting old storylines (such as the spell Alex andDavid Henrie’s Justin used to redo their first kiss), exploring alternate ones and chatting to stars including Gomez herself, who appeared on the Feb. 27 episode.During her appearance on the podcast, Gomez emotionally admitted thather biggest regret was “not staying in touch” with her costarsafter the hit Disney Channel show ended in 2012.“I felt ashamed of the decisions that I made,” said the actress, 30. “I didn’t want you guys to see me in the state that I was in, because a. you would have told me the truth, which terrifies me, and b. I didn’t want to let you down.“Bruce Birmelin/ Disney Channel via GettyTheOnly Murders in the Buildingstar’s honesty touched both DeLuise and Stone,with Stone sharing that she previously blamed herself for the rift that formed between them. “I appreciate you saying that too because, to be perfectly blunt, there has been times where I’m like, ‘Did we stop being friends because I didn’t tell her what she wanted to hear?’ You know what I mean? So, I appreciate you being that honest.“DeLuise wiped away tears as he said, “That’s really sweet, and thank you for saying that. Obviously I miss you.“Eric McCandless/Disney Channel via GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Gomez has often shared her appreciation for her time on the hit Disney show, evencomparing her character, Mabel, fromOnly Murdersto that of an older Alex-like figure.“I feel like Mabel is an older version of Alex in a way,” she said during an appearance onEntertainment Weekly’s Awardistpodcastin June.The actress also said that she “adored” being onWizardswhen she was younger, adding that the show’s cast “got really lucky” with the team running the show, and the freedom they had to play around. “I still look back at that and laugh at certain things just because I thought it was so fun, and we tried.”
Between monster hunters, werewolves and bad boys,Selena Gomez’s Alex Russo had her fair share of love interests inWizards of Waverly Place, but there was one unexplored storyline that the series creator wishes the show had explored further.
Peter Murrieta, who wrote and produced the first three seasons of the hit Disney Channel series, revealed thatHayley Kiyoko’s Stevie — whose four-episode arc in the third season of the show saw her bond with Alex over their rebellious ways — was a character he had intended to be a romantic interest for the show’s protagonist.
“We could have played more with the relationship between Stevie and Alex,” Murrieta said when asked about what storyline he wished he had explored further on the March 27 episode of PodCo’sWizards of Waverly Pod.
“Right!” agreedJennifer Stone, who played Harper Finkle and co-hosts the podcast with David DeLuise, who played Jerry Russo.
“But we weren’t able to in that time,” added Murrieta. “But it was pretty clear to all of us what that relationship was.”
Murrieta added that, since theWizardsdays, “Disney Channel has had characters” who explore same-sex relationships, as Stevie and Alex would have, but “at that time, it wasn’t a thing.”
“But we got as close as we could. I mean… it was pretty close,” he said.
Since its premiere in February, the podcast has taken a deep dive into theWizardsworld, revisiting old storylines (such as the spell Alex andDavid Henrie’s Justin used to redo their first kiss), exploring alternate ones and chatting to stars including Gomez herself, who appeared on the Feb. 27 episode.
During her appearance on the podcast, Gomez emotionally admitted thather biggest regret was “not staying in touch” with her costarsafter the hit Disney Channel show ended in 2012.
“I felt ashamed of the decisions that I made,” said the actress, 30. “I didn’t want you guys to see me in the state that I was in, because a. you would have told me the truth, which terrifies me, and b. I didn’t want to let you down.”
Bruce Birmelin/ Disney Channel via Getty
TheOnly Murders in the Buildingstar’s honesty touched both DeLuise and Stone,with Stone sharing that she previously blamed herself for the rift that formed between them. “I appreciate you saying that too because, to be perfectly blunt, there has been times where I’m like, ‘Did we stop being friends because I didn’t tell her what she wanted to hear?’ You know what I mean? So, I appreciate you being that honest.”
DeLuise wiped away tears as he said, “That’s really sweet, and thank you for saying that. Obviously I miss you.”
Eric McCandless/Disney Channel via Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Gomez has often shared her appreciation for her time on the hit Disney show, evencomparing her character, Mabel, fromOnly Murdersto that of an older Alex-like figure.
“I feel like Mabel is an older version of Alex in a way,” she said during an appearance onEntertainment Weekly’s Awardistpodcastin June.
The actress also said that she “adored” being onWizardswhen she was younger, adding that the show’s cast “got really lucky” with the team running the show, and the freedom they had to play around. “I still look back at that and laugh at certain things just because I thought it was so fun, and we tried.”
source: people.com
