Wizards of Waverly Place is an American fantasy teen sitcom created by Todd J. Greenwald that aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between October 2007 and January 2012. The series centers on Alex Russo (portrayed by Selena Gomez), a teenage wizard living in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, who undertakes training alongside her siblings, Justin and Max, who are also equipped with magical abilities. The siblings are trained with the knowledge that one day, they will compete to win sole custody of their family's powers. Episodes deal with Alex's challenges in keeping her secret powers hidden, while she deals with the social and personal issues of her youth. She frequently uses magic in her everyday life, sometimes irresponsibly, and hones her supernatural abilities while doing so. While the series contains fantasy elements, the main themes depicted include the focus on family, friendship, and adolescence.