Bryan Cranston recently explained why Erik Per Sullivan, famously known for portraying Dewey Wilkerson in ‘Malcolm in the Middle‘, won’t be part of the upcoming Disney+ revival of the beloved sitcom. In a chat on the ‘Fly on the Wall’ podcast, Cranston shared a discussion he had with Sullivan, who has mostly stayed away from the limelight since the original series ended. Sullivan, it seems, has no intention of returning to his role due to his focus on academic endeavors and his current distance from acting. The upcoming four-episode limited series, featuring several original cast members, has already found a new actor to play Dewey.
Cranston shared that he spoke with Erik. He said, “Hey, the show is coming back!”, to which Erik responded enthusiastically. “That’s fantastic!”, Erik exclaimed, and Cranston replied, “Yes, we’re excited for you to rejoin us.” Erik then expressed his reluctance, saying, “Oh, no, I don’t want to do it.”, but added that it was still great news. It turns out that Erik is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Harvard. He confessed, “God, no, I haven’t acted since I was nine or something. So I’m not interested.”
Looking back on the passage of time, Cranston noted with amazement, “It’s incredible how these boys who were my co-stars on that show are now around the same age I was when we first started, and they have children of their own.
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In a similar vein to statements made by Jane Kaczmarek (Lois) in 2024, Bryan Cranston’s recent comments echo that Aaron Paul (Sullivan), who was once an actor, has shifted his focus towards education. Sullivan’s last acting role was in the 2010 film “Twelve,” signifying a significant change in his career direction. Given this new path, the upcoming revival will present Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, recognized for roles in “The Expanse” and “Fargo,” as the replacement for Dewey Wilkerson.
The Groundbreaking Sitcom Legacy of Malcolm in the Middle
Originally airing between 2000 and 2006, the groundbreaking series “Malcolm in the Middle” presented 151 episodes, revolutionizing sitcom storytelling by adopting a single-camera format. This show brilliantly portrayed the comedic chaos and relatable aspects of family life like no other. The narrative centered around the Wilkerson family as seen through the eyes of Malcolm (Frankie Muniz), a young prodigy navigating his unconventional household, characterized by its unique blend of love and dysfunction. The show garnered widespread critical praise, winning a Peabody Award, seven Emmys, and a Grammy. To this day, it remains a beloved pop-culture icon of the 2000s, even inspiring subsequent shows such as Marvel’s “WandaVision“, which openly acknowledged its influence by emulating its distinctive style.
In the revival of “Malcolm in the Middle,” the storyline revolves around Malcolm being pulled back into his family’s turmoil when Hal (Cranston) and Lois ask him to attend their 40th wedding anniversary party. The upcoming episodes will also introduce new family members, such as Anthony Timpano portraying an adult Jamie, Vaughan Murrae as Malcolm’s youngest non-binary sibling Kelly, Keeley Karsten as Malcolm’s daughter Leah, and Kiana Madeira as Malcolm’s girlfriend Tristan. Linwood Boomer, the original series creator, is back as a writer and executive producer, with Ken Kwapis, who directed episodes of the initial series, taking charge of all four new installments.
Although no specific release date has been given yet, it appears that filming for the revival has completed, hinting at a possible late 2025 or early 2026 debut. Simultaneously, you can stream all seven seasons of the original “Malcolm in the Middle” on Disney+ right now.
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2025-06-13 13:09