Erik Per Sullivan, who played the beloved youngest brother Dewey on Malcolm in the Middle, is the only original cast member not returning for the upcoming Disney+ sequel series, and now Bryan Cranston is shedding light on why.
The 'Malcolm In The Middle' cast pictured at the 2001 Emmy Awards. Credit: Vince Bucci / Getty Images.
Speaking on the Fly on the Wall podcast hosted by Dana Carvey and David Spade, Cranston explained that he personally reached out to Sullivan to invite him back.
“I talked to Erik and said, ‘Hey, we got the show, it’s coming back!’ He goes, ‘Oh, that’s fantastic!’ And I said, ‘We’re really looking forward to having you involved.’
"He goes, ‘Oh, no, no. I don’t want to do it. But I’m happy for you guys,’” Cranston recalled.
According to Cranston, Sullivan has moved far away from Hollywood. “He’s actually going to Harvard, he’s really, really smart,” Cranston said. “I think he’s working on his master’s there right now. He told me, ‘Oh God, no, I haven’t acted since I was nine or something. I’m not into it.’”
The role of Dewey will now be played by actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The revival brings back Malcolm in the Middle’s original cast, including Frankie Muniz as Malcolm, who’s now juggling his career as a professional NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver alongside his return to the screen. The production reportedly worked around his racing schedule, and filming has just wrapped.
The hit early-2000s sitcom followed Malcolm, a gifted teen navigating life in a hilariously chaotic household. Cranston played Hal, the well-meaning but frequently overwhelmed father of four, now all grown up.
“It’s amazing to see these boys, who were once my kids on the show, now grown up and with kids of their own,” Cranston said.
Cranston also revealed he was the driving force behind bringing the show back. “It’s something I’ve been pushing for over the last 10 years,” he said. “I just kept wearing [series creator Linwood Boomer] down until one day he said, ‘I’ve got an idea.’ And I said, ‘Good.’”
The revival marks a long-awaited return for fans, even if the original Dewey sadly won’t be part of the reunion.
Featured image credit: Kevin Winter / ImageDirect / Getty Images.
The Malcolm In The Middle cast is back together for a limited revival nearly two decades after the show wrapped in 2006, but one familiar face is missing. Fans have been buzzing about the four-episode return, titled Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair, which reunites the chaotic family for another round.
Bryan Cranston reprises his role as Hal, alongside Frankie Muniz as Malcolm and Jane Kaczmarek as Lois. The new series lands on Hulu and Disney+ on April 10, with the story pulling Malcolm back into family life when his parents demand he attend their 40th anniversary party.
However, Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey, will not be returning. The character has been recast, with Caleb Ellsworth stepping into the role after Sullivan chose not to come back despite being offered a significant payday.
Why Erik Per Sullivan said no
Sullivan, now 34, has stepped away from acting and is focusing on his studies. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in literature at Harvard University, which prevented him from committing to the reboot.
Jane Kaczmarek revealed in an interview with The Guardian: "He’s studying Dickens and is an incredible student – they offered him buckets of money to come back, and he just said: ‘No thank you’".
Bryan Cranston also shared insight into Sullivan’s decision while speaking to Variety, explaining: “It wasn’t like, ‘I can’t.’ It was like, ‘I’m different. I’m not the child actor that I was. I’m an adult. I’m into academia, and I’m studying, and I love that world. And it’s like, ‘Yeah, good.’”
Life away from the spotlight
Sullivan has kept a low profile in recent years, with no public social media presence and no on-screen roles since appearing in the 2010 crime thriller Twelve. His decision reflects a complete shift away from Hollywood in favor of academic life.
Meanwhile, Muniz reflected on the overwhelming fame he experienced during the show’s original run. He told The Guardian: “One of the wildest was the first time I went overseas. I had no idea people knew the show there. I was in Geneva, walking with my girlfriend, and people were looking. By the end of it, we were literally being chased down the street.
The Malcolm In The Middle cast pictured at the 2001 Emmy Awards. Credit: Vince Bucci / Getty Images.
"When I’m in Europe, or I’m in Mexico or in Central America, people love the show so much that … I’m not comparing myself to the Beatles at all, but it almost was that odd level of ‘What is happening?’”
How the reboot came together
Muniz also credited Cranston for helping bring the revival to life. He explained: "I had dinner with Bryan, and I remember him saying something like: ‘There’s no role I’d want to revisit more than Hal,’ so he took the lead. It’s thanks to Bryan that it really did happen."
Malcolm In The Middle: Life's Still Unfair premieres on April 10, giving fans a fresh look at the beloved family, even if one key member is notably absent.
The actor who played Dewey on Malcolm in the Middle has been photographed for the first time in nearly 20 years as Frankie Muniz opened up about why he left the spotlight.
The Malcolm in the Middle actor has been photographed for the first time in nearly two decades. Credit: Jim Spellman / Getty
Erik Per Sullivan, best known for playing the fourth child of Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) and Hal Wilkerson (Bryan Cranston), hasn’t acted since 2010 and won’t be returning for the new four-episode Malcolm in the Middle reboot coming to Disney+.
The 32-year-old is the only main cast member not involved, with the role of Dewey now being taken over by Fargo actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.
The US Sun captured recent images of Sullivan near his home outside Boston, Massachusetts.
In one picture, he’s seen wearing a grey sweater with army green jeans while unloading groceries. In another, he’s dressed in a brown coat and grey flat cap during a coffee shop visit — his first public appearance in 18 years.
Speaking candidly in an interview years after the show ended, Muniz admitted: “To be honest, I don't know what he's up to. I hate to say that because I've talked to him a few times since the show ended.”
He continued: “I've talked to his parents a lot. When I was in the band, we went and played in the city where he lives and his parents came to the show but unfortunately he couldn't make it. So I got to talk to them, and he's been all over doing a lot of different things.
“But one thing I know, some actors or some people just got to do it when they were a kid, and then they wanted to experience other things and kind of live a more normal life out of the spotlight," he continued. "I think that's what he wanted to do, so good for him.”
Sullivan will not join the new season of Malcolm In The Middle. Credit: Steve Granitz / Getty
Sullivan’s decision to walk away from Hollywood appears to have been intentional.
Kaczmarek, 69, previously told fan site Malcolm France: “He’s well, he’s very, very well… He did Malcolm for seven years, he started at seven, he ended at 14. He wasn’t interested in acting, at all.”
She added: “He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that he’s asked us all to be quiet about, and he loves Charles Dickens. He’s doing graduate work in Victorian literature. I admire it because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world, it’s not for everyone.”
Despite playing a fan-favorite character, Sullivan has kept an incredibly low profile over the years, with no verified social media accounts and no acting credits since his early teens.
While an Instagram page exists that features older photos of him, it’s never been confirmed to be run by the actor himself.
Meanwhile, the rest of the cast have continued in the public eye, with Cranston’s legendary run as Walter White in Breaking Bad and Muniz’s recent pivot to motorsports.
As for the Malcolm in the Middle reboot, Disney+ hasn’t confirmed a release date, but the official logline teases more mayhem as Malcolm and his daughter are drawn "into the family’s chaos when Hal and Lois demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party," BBC News reported.
Keeley Karsten from The Fabelmans will star as Malcolm’s daughter, Leah.
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, said: “Malcolm in the Middle is a landmark sitcom that captured the essence of family life with humor, heart, and reliability.
“Its hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of a lovably chaotic family resonated with audiences of all ages, and we’re so excited to welcome the original cast back to bring that magic to life again.
“With Linwood Boomer and the creative team at the helm, these new episodes will have all the laughs, pranks, and mayhem fans loved - along with a few surprises that remind us why this show is so timeless,” he concluded.
Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, added: “Malcolm in the Middle literally changed the face of the television comedy landscape when it premiered two decades ago, redefining what the genre could be."
Frankie Muniz has given Malcolm In The Middle fans an update on what happened to Erik Per Sullivan after viewers were left wondering what happened to him in the years since.
Malcolm In The Middle was staple after-school viewing for most of us growing up in the early to mid-2000s, following the life of an 11-year-old boy named Malcolm and his dysfunctional family and school friends.
Muniz played the lead role in the children's series, while his youngest brother Dewey was played by Per Sullivan.
While most of the cast have gone on to star in many things after the series finished in 2006, little is known of what Per Sullivan has been up to since his last role in 2010.
Erik Per Sullivan played Dewey in the hit sitcom for kids. Credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Despite being a fan-favorite character in the series, a few years after the show finished the now-32-year-old decided to take a step back from the limelight.
Muniz, now 36, addressed where Per Sullivan has been in an interview a few years back, revealing even he struggles to keep up with his former co-star.
He explained: "To be honest, I don't know what he's up to. I hate to say that because I've talked to him a few times since the show ended.
"I've talked to his parents a lot. When I was in the band, we went and played in the city where he lives and his parents came to the show but unfortunately he couldn't make it.
"So I got to talk to them, and he's been all over doing a lot of different things."
Muniz added:"But one thing I know, some actors or some people just got to do it when they were a kid and then they wanted to experience other things and kind of live a more normal life out of the spotlight.
"I think that's what he wanted to do, so good for him."
Per Sullivan's credits include Christmas With The Kranks and Armageddon among other film and TV projects as a child, but it seems he prefers to keep a low profile these days and doesn't appear to have any public social media accounts of his own.
One Instagram page was created purporting to be Per Sullivan, but it has never been confirmed whether it belongs to him or not, though it has some snaps of the star looking older than when he was last seen.
The rest of the cast have mostly continued their careers in the limelight, with arguably the most notable being Bryan Cranston who played the family's dad, Hal.
He has gone on to play Walter White in Breaking Bad as well as a whole roster of other film and TV projects.
Most of the Malcolm In The Middle cast have gone on to other film and TV projects. Credit: SGranitz/WireImage
Muniz, meanwhile, revealed he too was pursuing some different interests early last year, telling Dave Moody on SiriusXM that he was hoping to join NASCAR.
He said at the time: "We're talking to a bunch of teams, both in ARCA and Trucks, Xfinity. I want to be realistic, too. Obviously, I haven't done a ton of oval racing. So everywhere I am going to go next year is going to be new.
"So in that same sense I want to move up quickly. I don't want to throw myself completely off the deep end.
"I know in ARCA National, the Trucks Series - it's ultra-competitive. It's not little, local racing, it's the top level of motorsports.
"I want to make sure that I'm ready. I believe that I am. But it's all about kind of putting the best deal together with a Truck ride or ARCA ride.
"I just want to be in a race car, so as much seat time as possible is gonna be key for me the rest of this year and next year just to keep learning and progressing. That is the goal is to be in a Truck or doing ARCA National or both."
His goal became a reality, as in January 2023 it was announced that Muniz would drive full-time for Rette Jones Racing in the ARCA Menards Series in the team's No. 30 Ford Mustang.
Featured image credit: Jesse Grant/WireImage for Fox Television Network
Frankie Muniz has given Malcolm In The Middle fans an update on what Erik Per Sullivan - the actor who played Dewey - has been doing in the years since the show ended.
Malcolm In The Middle was a huge part of most of our childhoods in the early to mid-2000s, and the comedy series followed the life of an 11-year-old boy named Malcolm and his dysfunctional family and school life.
Muniz played the titular role in the children's series, while his youngest brother Dewey was played by Per Sullivan.
While most of the cast has remained in the spotlight and worked on different projects since the show finished in 2006, Per Sullivan has maintained a low profile since his last major role in 2010.
Erik Per Sullivan prefers a quiet life these days. Credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage/Getty ImagesDespite being a fan-favorite character and having several other roles throughout his short-lived career in Hollywood, a few years after the show finished the now-32-year-old decided to embrace life outside of the spotlight.
Muniz, now 36, gave fans a longed-for insight into where Per Sullivan has been in an interview that took place a few years ago, and he admitted even he struggles to keep up with his former co-star.
He explained: "To be honest, I don't know what he's up to. I hate to say that because I've talked to him a few times since the show ended.
"I've talked to his parents a lot. When I was in the band, we went and played in the city where he lives and his parents came to the show but unfortunately he couldn't make it.
"So I got to talk to them, and he's been all over doing a lot of different things."
Muniz added: "But one thing I know, some actors or some people just got to do it when they were a kid and then they wanted to experience other things and kind of live a more normal life out of the spotlight.
"I think that's what he wanted to do, so good for him."
Fair enough! The glare of attention is not always easy for many people to live under, so it's no wonder some former child stars opt to go back to more normal lives if they still can.
Before he quit acting, Per Sullivan's credits included Armageddon and Christmas With The Kranks among other film and TV projects.
Nowadays, Per Sullivan doesn't even appear to have any public social media accounts of his own either.
One Instagram page was created claiming to be Per Sullivan, but its authenticity has never been verified, though it did share some snaps of the star looking older than when he was last seen.
The rest of the Malcolm In The Middle gang have mostly continued as actors, the most famous arguably being Bryan Cranston, who played the family's dad, Hal, and has gone on to play Walter White in Breaking Bad as well as a whole roster of other film and TV projects.
Muniz has also pursued different interests outside of acting in recent years, having carved a career for himself as a race car driver.
He revealed to Dave Moody on Sirius XM last year that he was hoping to join NASCAR, explaining: "We're talking to a bunch of teams, both in ARCA and Trucks, Xfinity. I want to be realistic, too. Obviously, I haven't done a ton of oval racing. So everywhere I am going to go next year is going to be new.
"So in that same sense I want to move up quickly. I don't want to throw myself completely off the deep end. I know in ARCA National, the Trucks Series - it's ultra-competitive. It's not little, local racing, it's the top level of motorsports.
"I want to make sure that I'm ready. I believe that I am. But it's all about kind of putting the best deal together with a Truck ride or ARCA ride.
"I just want to be in a race car, so as much seat time as possible is gonna be key for me the rest of this year and next year just to keep learning and progressing. That is the goal is to be in a Truck or doing ARCA National or both."
He managed to achieve this goal in pretty quick timing, as in January 2023 it was announced that Muniz would drive full-time for Rette Jones Racing in the ARCA Menards Series in the team's No. 30 Ford Mustang.
Featured image credit: Jesse Grant/WireImage for Fox Television Network/Getty Images
Good news, Malcolm in the Middle fans — as it appears as if one of the show’s most iconic troublemakers is making a long-awaited return!
If you grew up in the late '90s/early 2000s, chances are you spent plenty of time watching the chaotic brilliance of the Wilkerson family.
The hit sitcom ran for seven glorious seasons, capturing the sheer madness of growing up in a household where brothers were a nightmare, schemes were constant, and somehow, things always seemed to go hilariously wrong.
Between Jane Kaczmarek’s fiery portrayal of mom Lois, Bryan Cranston’s delightfully clueless Hal, and Frankie Muniz leading the charge as Malcolm, the series had no shortage of unforgettable moments.
And of course, let’s not forget Malcolm’s four brothers — Francis, Reese, Dewey, and Jamie — who brought their own unique brand of mayhem to the show.
Christopher Masterson, Frankie Muniz, Erik Per Sullivan, Bryan Cranston and Justin Berfield. Credit: Vince Bucci/Getty Images
Now, with Disney+ announcing that it is reviving the beloved series for a four-episode limited run, fans have been wondering: Who is coming back?
The Return of Reese—And Maybe More?
We already knew that Breaking Bad legend Bryan Cranston, along with Jane Kaczmarek and Frankie Muniz, would be reprising their roles.
But now, fans can celebrate another major comeback, as it looks like Justin Berfield is officially returning as Reese!
It looks like Justin Berfield is back at Reese! Credit: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
That’s right, Malcolm’s older brother - the legendary chaos machine with an inexplicable talent for cooking - is making his way back to the Malcolm in the Middle universe. Berfield, now 38, took to Instagram to share the news, writing: "On my way to meet the MITM fam. See you soon!"
While he largely stepped away from acting after Malcolm in the Middle wrapped, Berfield found success behind the scenes as an executive producer on Sons of Tucson and was involved in films like Bad Moms and Limitless.
But after nearly two decades out of the spotlight, he’s ready to step back into Reese’s reckless shoes.
And honestly, could a Malcolm in the Middle reboot even work without Reese? His antics — from becoming a destructive (but dumb) force in the army to repeatedly bullying his younger brothers to striking out with countless girls at school — were a cornerstone of the show.
A Hidden Clue About Dewey?
While fans are thrilled about Reese’s return, an even bigger surprise may have been lurking in the Instagram comments.
Enter Erik Per Sullivan -- better known to fans as the adorable but often frustrated and chaotic Dewey.
Erik Per Sullivan in 2007. Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic
The youngest of the original four brothers (before baby Jamie entered the mix at the end of season four), Dewey was the show’s secret genius, often outwitting his older siblings and delivering some of the funniest moments in the entire series.
But after Malcolm in the Middle ended, Per Sullivan seemingly disappeared from Hollywood. Even Jane Kaczmarek previously hinted that he wouldn’t be interested in a reboot.
However, fans went into full detective mode when Per Sullivan dropped a rare Instagram comment under Berfield’s post. His response? The emojis: "👏👏❤️"
Fans would love to see Erik Per Sullivan return as Dewey. Credit: Instagram
Despite not being much to go off, the response from the rarely seen Sullivan sent fans into a frenzy, with many begging him to return. Could this be a hint that Dewey is coming back too?
Sullivan has maintained a low profile since his last major role in 2010.
In an interview with Malcolm France last summer, Kaczmarek was asked about Sullivan, to which, she revealed: "He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that he’s asked us all to be quiet about and he loves Charles Dickens.
"He’s doing graduate work in Victorian literature. I admire it because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world, it’s not for everyone."
What’s Next for the Reboot?
While Erik Per Sullivan’s involvement remains a mystery, Frankie Muniz recently teased some unexpected surprises.
Speaking to uInterview, he dropped this intriguing hint about the reboot, saying: "I think everyone will be very happy with the amount of characters that are on the new Malcolm in the Middle... characters that you don't expect to see, that you wouldn't expect to see over the first seven seasons. You'll see a lot of people—I'll say that."
Could Dewey be one of those surprise returns? Fans are keeping their fingers crossed.
Either way, with Reese back in action, the Wilkerson family reunion is already shaping up to be legendary. Now, all we need is for Hal to roller-skate his way onto our screens one last time.
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