If you grew up during the golden age of Disney Channel, you remember the exact moment Mason Greyback walked into that art class. He was British, he was charming, and he had that floppy hair that defined 2010. Gregg Sulkin didn’t just join the cast; he fundamentally shifted the energy of the show.
Honestly, looking back, the introduction of Mason was a turning point for Wizards of Waverly Place. The series moved away from "monster of the week" antics and started leaning into genuine, heart-wrenching teenage drama. And it worked.
The Werewolf in the Art Room
Mason Greyback wasn't supposed to be a series regular. Initially, Gregg Sulkin was only slated for a one-episode guest spot in "Alex Charms a Boy." He was the cute British kid who painted dogs. But the chemistry with Selena Gomez was undeniable. It was electric.
The writers realized they had something special. Mason wasn't just another boy for Alex to manipulate with magic; he was a "purebred" werewolf with a history that spanned centuries. This added a layer of lore that the show hadn't really touched since the Russo family's own wizarding secrets.
He was the "anti-Justin" in many ways. While Justin Russo's love interests were often structured and rule-abiding (think Juliet the vampire), Mason was impulsive. He was an artist. He understood Alex’s chaotic nature because he shared it.
Why the British Accent Worked
It’s kinda funny to think about now, but the accent was a huge deal. At the time, Disney was leaning heavily into international appeal. Having a lead with a legitimate London accent—not a fake one—made the show feel slightly more "adult" or sophisticated for its demographic. Sulkin has mentioned in interviews that he moved to LA at 17, and Wizards became his home. That fish-out-of-water energy translated perfectly to Mason trying to navigate the weirdness of New York City and the even weirder world of the Russo family.
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The Heartbreak We Didn't See Coming
If you want to talk about trauma for 10-year-olds, let’s talk about "Wizards vs. Werewolves." This was the peak of the series.
The revelation that Mason and Juliet (Justin’s girlfriend) had a romantic past 300 years ago was a massive plot twist. Then came the "I love you" heard 'round the world—Mason accidentally saying it to Juliet in the heat of a magical battle.
It was brutal.
- Mason gets bitten by a vampire.
- He transforms into a permanent wolf.
- He runs off into the woods, leaving Alex devastated.
Most sitcoms would have ended the arc there. But the fans wouldn't let it go. The "Mason wolf" saga is probably the most-remembered storyline of the later seasons. When Alex eventually finds him in "Wizards Unleashed"—looking like a scruffy, CGI-heavy dog—it was the kind of high-stakes romance that paved the way for the Twilight obsession that was gripping the world at the same time.
Gregg Sulkin and the Mason Legacy in 2026
Fast forward to today. It is 2026, and the nostalgia for the late 2000s is at an all-time high. With the release of the sequel series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, the first question on everyone's lips was: "Where is Mason?"
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We know David Henrie and Selena Gomez are back. We know Justin has a family now. But Mason's absence has been a loud one. Recently, Gregg Sulkin has been seen visiting the set, sparking a frenzy on social media. While he hasn't officially appeared in the first season of the reboot, the hints are everywhere.
"They should always have hope because this is a very special show to me," Sulkin told reporters recently. "It's one that is always going to be very meaningful."
The fact that he’s still talking about the role sixteen years after he first put on the werewolf makeup says a lot. He isn't just an actor who did a Disney show; he's a part of the brand's DNA.
What Most People Get Wrong About Mason
A lot of casual viewers think Mason was "the bad boy." That's not really true. If you rewatch the episodes now, Mason was actually incredibly loyal—often to a fault. His biggest flaws were jealousy and insecurity, which are remarkably human traits for a supernatural creature.
He stayed by Alex through the Family Wizard competition. He stayed even when she was "bad Alex" in the Italy special. He was the only person who didn't try to change Alex Russo; he just wanted to be with her.
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Technical Details: The Make-up and the Stunts
Playing a werewolf isn't all just smoldering looks. Sulkin has often joked about the "cons" of the role. The makeup process for his transformation scenes took hours. In the 2013 special The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex, the stunts were ramped up significantly.
You had Mason fighting "Evil Alex" and dealing with a new rival, Dominic. Sulkin did many of his own stunts during those sequences, bringing a physical intensity that shifted the show from a multi-cam sitcom to something more like an action-adventure movie.
What’s Next for Mason and Alex?
If you're looking for closure, the original series finale gave it to us. Alex became the Family Wizard, and because she was no longer "just a mortal," she was allowed to keep her magic and stay with Mason. It was the perfect "happily ever after."
But in the world of 2026 reboots, no one stays happy forever. Here is what we can realistically expect:
- A Cameo is Inevitable: Given Sulkin’s close relationship with David Henrie, a guest appearance in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 2 is almost certain.
- The Relationship Status: The reboot hasn't explicitly mentioned if Alex and Mason are still together. This is a deliberate choice to keep fans guessing.
- The Artist Narrative: If Mason returns, expect him to still be an artist. It was his defining human trait, and it’s the most likely way he’d be reintroduced—perhaps exhibiting his work in a gallery that the new generation of wizards visits.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're feeling nostalgic, don't just wait for the reboot. You should go back and watch the "Wizards vs. Werewolves" four-part saga. It holds up surprisingly well, mostly because of the genuine emotional weight Sulkin and Gomez put into those scenes. Also, keep an eye on Gregg Sulkin’s social media—he’s notorious for dropping "wolf" emojis right before a big announcement.
The legacy of Mason Greyback isn't just about a teen heartthrob. It's about how one character took a simple Disney show and turned it into a story about choosing love over destiny. That’s why we’re still talking about him today.