Malcolm in the Middle Revival’s Big New Character Pays Off the Original Show’s Ending Tease After 20 Years

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After a 20-year break, Malcolm in the Middle is back with a new series on Hulu! This revival not only continues the story but also introduces a new family member and finally resolves a cliffhanger from the original show’s ending. Hulu has been bringing back beloved shows like King of the Hill and The Amazing World of Gumball recently, making it a fantastic time for fans of popular TV from the 2000s.

The new Hulu revival, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, is unique compared to other recent reboots. It’s a brief return—only four episodes long—that quickly throws viewers back into the familiar, chaotic world of the Wilkerson family years after the original show ended. This revival also introduces Kelly (Vaughan Murrae), the sixth child Lois was pregnant with in the original series finale.

Who Is Kelly in Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair?

Originally airing on Fox on May 14, 2000, the show Malcolm in the Middle concluded with the episode “Graduation.” The episode centers around Malcolm’s frantic attempt to make it to his graduation ceremony on time to deliver his Valedictorian speech, but as expected, things don’t go as planned. He’s also offered a fantastic job that could replace going to Harvard, but amidst the mayhem, Malcolm realizes his mother envisions an even brighter future for him—one that can only be achieved through hard work and challenges.

The series finale shows the family members moving on with their lives, and Lois and Hal discover Lois is pregnant again – for the sixth time. Then, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair jumps forward twenty years, catching up with each of the kids. We learn Malcolm has lost touch with his siblings, Francis is living in the garage, Dewey (played by a new actor, as Erik Per Sullivan didn’t reprise his role) is touring as a musician in France, Reese is still hanging around home, Jamie has joined the Coast Guard, and the youngest, Kelly, is introduced.

Kelly, the child Lois was pregnant with at the end of the original series, is finally introduced. Unlike their brothers, Kelly is non-binary and doesn’t share their outwardly aggressive tendencies. However, as the show continues, Kelly quickly proves to be a bit of a troublemaker, happily revealing their siblings’ secrets just to watch the drama unfold. Despite being different, Kelly seamlessly fits into the family’s established pattern of behavior.

What Does This Mean for Malcolm in the Middle’s Future?

The new series, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, feels more like a special reunion than a full-fledged revival. It neatly concludes the story within its four episodes. Linwood Boomer, the creator of the original show, returned, and as many of the original cast members as possible joined him. This makes the new series feel like a natural continuation of what fans loved about the show in the first place.

Some characters weren’t developed as fully as others. Kelly, introduced as the sixth sibling, is significantly younger than the rest, and lacks the established relationships the others share from the original series. When all the siblings are together, it highlights how different Kelly is, which could be explored further if the revival continues. Currently, a continuation of the Malcolm in the Middle revival hasn’t been officially confirmed.

As a viewer, I really enjoyed the connection Kelly made with Malcolm’s daughter, Leah, in the finale – they felt like genuine friends. If Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair gets picked up for more seasons, and continues to split the focus between Leah and Malcolm, I can definitely see Kelly playing a bigger role, especially as Leah navigates high school. It feels natural that she’d be someone Leah confides in and turns to, and I’m hoping the writers explore that dynamic further.

Let’s see what happens next! Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum.

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2026-04-13 01:17