Fans of “Malcolm in the Middle” have reason to celebrate as Disney+ gears up for a four-episode revival of the beloved sitcom — but one key original cast member will be notably absent. Erik Per Sullivan, who played youngest brother Dewey, will not be returning to reprise his role.
The revival, announced in December by Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek via social media, has been eagerly anticipated. Variety recently confirmed that Christopher Masterson (Francis) and Justin Berfield (Reese) are also coming back to join the family chaos. However, Sullivan, who has been out of the Hollywood spotlight for over 15 years, is not participating.
Instead, Dewey will be played by actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, known for roles in “Fargo” and “The Expanse.”
Sullivan’s decision to step away from acting is not new. His last credited role was in the 2010 film “Twelve,” and he has also been absent from previous “Malcolm in the Middle” reunions. Despite fans’ curiosity, his former castmates have respected his privacy.
In a 2024 interview with Malcolm France, Jane Kaczmarek (who plays matriarch Lois) gave a rare update on Sullivan, reassuring fans that he is doing well. “He’s very, very well,” she said. “He wasn’t interested in acting at all. He goes to school at a very, very, very prestigious American university that he’s asked us all to be quiet about.” She revealed that Sullivan is pursuing graduate studies in Victorian literature and expressed admiration for his choice.
“I think so many people think being in show business is just the greatest thing in the world, and it’s not for everybody,” she said. “He’s a very grateful kid, for Dewey.”
The original “Malcolm in the Middle” ran on Fox from 2000 to 2006, earning 33 Emmy nominations and several wins, including awards for the late Cloris Leachman. The new revival episodes will follow Malcolm (Muniz) and his daughter as they are drawn into family mayhem when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) host a party for their 40th wedding anniversary.
No release date has been set yet, but excitement is already building.
“I’m so excited,” Muniz told E! News in February. “I think people are going to be thrilled to see everybody and the ideas that they’ve come up with.” He added, “I’ve read the scripts, so I know. And I think people are going to be pretty excited.”
While Erik Per Sullivan’s absence will surely be felt, it’s clear that “Malcolm in the Middle” still has plenty of heart — and chaos — to share with fans old and new.