One of the main cast members ofMalcolm in the Middleisn’t returning for the upcoming revival series, and Bryan Cranston (Hal) recently revealed why. Almost the entirecast ofMalcolm in the Middleis returning for the recently announcedMalcolm in the Middlerevival series. The revival will focus on the same family almost two decades after theending ofMalcolm in the Middle, as Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) and his brothers return for their parents' wedding anniversary. Not all the brothers are coming back, though, and Bryan Cranston has shared some insight into why that is.
While speaking onDana Carvey and David Spade’s podcast “Fly on the Wall,“Bryan Cranston revealed why Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey inMalcolm in the Middle, won’t appear in the upcoming revival.
“I talked to Erik and I said, ‘Hey, we got the show! It’s going to come back.’ He goes, ‘Oh, that’s fantastic!’ And I go, ‘Yeah, so we’re looking forward to having you back.’ He goes, ‘Oh, no, no, I don’t want to do it. But it’s fantastic.’
“He’s actually going to Harvard. He’s really, really smart, and he’s getting his master’s at Harvard right now. He said, ‘Oh God, no, I haven’t acted since I was 9 or something. So I’m not into it.'”
As Cranston explained, Per Sullivan is studying for his master’s degree at Harvard University, one of the most prestigious colleges in America. Jane Kaczmarek, who played Lois inMalcolm in the Middle, toldPeoplethat Per Sullivan is studying Victorian literature there.Per Sullivan also hasn’t focused on his acting career in years - his last professional credit was in 2010, when he appeared in the movieTwelve- and he hasn’t gone to any of theMalcolm in the Middlecast reunions, either. Cranston’s comments indicate that Per Sullivan simply isn’t interested in acting anymore, so he turned theMalcolm in the Middlerevival down.
What Erik Per Sullivan’s Absence Means For The Malcolm In The Middle Revival
The Malcolm In The Middle Brought In Caleb Ellsworth-Clark To Play Dewey
The biggest consequence of Erik Per Sullivan deciding not to appear in theMalcolm in the Middlerevival series is that Dewey has been recast.Caleb Ellsworth-Clark is set to take the role of adult Dewey in Per Sullivan’s stead(viaPeople), so theMalcolm in the Middlerevival will still feature the second-youngest brother of the family. Ellsworth-Clark has had some minor roles in major shows likeFargoandThe Handsmaid’s Tale, butMalcolm in the Middleis his first starring role.
While Ellsworth-Clark will likely be more than up to the role of playing Dewey, Per Sullivan’s absence could still have an impact onMalcolm in the Middle.Much of the allure of theMalcolm in the Middlerevival is seeing the original cast of the show on-screen together again, and Per Sullivan’s absence will detract from that. Still, it is reassuring to know that Bryan Cranston and the other stars of the show support Per Sullivan’s decision and his academic career, which should help make Ellsworth-Clark’s addition to the series easier to accept.
TheMalcolm in the Middlerevival series is expected to be released on Disney+ in December 2025.
Our Take On Erik Per Sullivan’s Absence From Malcolm In The Middle’s Revival
It Would Be Nice To See Dewey Again, But I’m Happy For Erik Per Sullivan & His Decision
I have somewhat mixed feelings about Erik Per Sullivan’s absence from theMalcolm in the Middlerevival.On the one hand, it’s a shame that theMalcolm in the Middlerevival won’t get a chance to show the original Dewey, but on the other hand, I’m happy for Erik Per Sullivan. Acting clearly wasn’t what he wanted to do, and his current academic career is really impressive in its own right. I certainly can’t fault him for wanting to prioritize his master’s degree overMalcolm in the Middle, and I think the show will be more than capable of succeeding on its own.
