Gregg Sulkin Talks About Mason’s Plot Twist in Wizards of Waverly Place

Over a decade since bidding farewell to Wizards of Waverly Place, Gregg Sulkin was eager to step back into one of his cherished roles — but his comeback took an unexpected turn for fans.

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for the final season of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.

The 34-year-old actor reprised his role as the beloved werewolf Mason Greyback in the four-part Wizards Beyond Waverly Place finale, which aired on Disney Channel on Tuesday, August 4. However, his long-awaited return came with an unexpected twist: Alex Russo’s (Selena Gomez) first love had died prior to the events of the sequel series.

While this shocking revelation surprised many viewers, Sulkin approached Mason’s trajectory as he would any character — by placing his trust in the creative team to craft an engaging story.

“For me, I concentrate on what every actor does: focusing on the script and elevating the scene to its fullest potential,” Sulkin shared exclusively with Us ahead of the series finale. “The rest, I entrusted to the writers. They are incredibly talented and capable. The Disney brand is one of the most successful globally for a reason. So, when they devise storylines or take characters in various directions, I simply respect their decisions and do my best with what I’m given.”

The original Wizards of Waverly Place aired from 2007 to 2012, with Sulkin joining in season 3 as Mason, the charming werewolf who swiftly became Alex’s fan-favorite boyfriend. More than ten years later, the Disney Channel franchise returned with Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, reintroducing several familiar characters while welcoming a new generation of young wizards.

The four-part finale centered on teen wizard Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) as she embarked on a quest to find Alex, after discovering their mother-daughter connection. Trapped in an alternate universe with amnesia, Alex reunited with her best friend Harper (Jennifer Stone) and Mason.

Initially, it seemed Mason and Alex had rekindled their relationship, with the werewolf even gearing up for a proposal. However, Alex eventually regained her memories and realized that the life she was seeing wasn’t real — because Mason had already passed away.

Though Sulkin completely trusted the creative team regarding Mason’s fate, he had a few ideas of his own for bringing the character back.

“There were certain callbacks I wanted to incorporate, as well as lines that I thought fans would appreciate hearing,” Sulkin remarked with a smile. “A few adjustments and some Easter eggs for the original fans. It was truly a collaborative experience.”

Sulkin also clarified that while Mason is currently gone, he may not be lost forever.

“That doesn’t mean there can’t be a spinoff in the future, potentially a prequel exploring all the years that led up to [his death],” Sulkin hinted. “So, I wouldn’t say Mason is entirely gone. He may be dead for now.”

Regardless of what the future may hold, accepting a role in the Wizards revival was never in question for Sulkin.

“I was genuinely pleased to be part of the original show. It meant a great deal to me,” he told Us. “It opened many doors and opportunities, and I’m always grateful for that.”

Although he knew the revival was in the works prior to its official announcement, Sulkin felt that his return needed to happen naturally.

“I always knew they wanted me back. It was all about finding the right moment, timing, and storyline,” he explained. “Also, respecting the original characters while allowing space for the new show to flourish.”

Ultimately, his return gave him a chance to express gratitude to those who shaped his formative years.

“It was an opportunity to thank all the fans who supported me during the original series,” Sulkin added. “It allowed me to conclude a beautiful chapter in my life. … And to extend my thanks to the crew for being such an incredible support system during a pivotal time in my personal journey.”

Despite the years apart, slipping back into Mason’s character — and reuniting with Gomez — felt effortless. “I think it took me about three seconds,” Sulkin joked. “It was a surreal experience. It took just Selena and me looking at each other on set, and it was like, ‘OK, we’re back.’”

Sulkin wasn’t worried about the limited preparation time before filming. “I can prepare endlessly, but the feelings that arise once I’m back on set, working with Selena and Jen, will overshadow that preparation because of the rush of emotions,” he said.

“Some things in life can’t be forced, and the chemistry between Selena and me since the start of the show was so strong and natural that I felt completely at ease,” he said about his unique connection with Gomez, 33. “Returning years later, not much had changed. Maybe I had a few more lines on my forehead, but aside from that, it was essentially the same.”

Although Alex ultimately moved on from Mason, Sulkin doesn’t believe their love story truly ended — and he encouraged disappointed viewers to feel the same.

“When you say Mason and Alex didn’t end up together, yes, in a sense they didn’t,” he conveyed to Us. “But I believe that, in Mason’s heart, they did in some way. There’s so much love between them.”

“Whether they paired up with different partners and took different paths, the love they share is profound and authentic,” Sulkin continued. “I couldn’t say they didn’t end up together because I think, deep down, they’ll always hold on to each other.”

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is currently streaming on Disney+.