Almost twenty years after ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ ended, the show is back. Fans are excited not only for the return of a fun crowd, but also because most of the original cast is back. However, one name is missing from the pool: da Erik Per Sullivanwho played Dewey. Despite the actors saying they offered him “buckets of money”, Sullivan won’t be returning.One can’t help but wonder: why would he turn away from such pay and nostalgia?
Erik Per Sullivan says no to revival: What happened?
‘Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair’ brings back the old cast of the hit show for the reboot. For starters, Frankie Muniz as Malcolm, now grown with a child; Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek return as Hal and Lois; Chris Kennedy Masterson and Justin Berfield appear as Francis and Reese.But Dewey, Malcolm’s younger brother? Sullivan will not be returning to reprise his role. In fact, they have renewed it. Sullivan retired from acting in 2006, shortly after the show ended, aged just 14. He chose school over Hollywood.The producers tried to tempt him, offering him a big salary, but to no avail. Kaczmar told The Guardian: “He’s studying Dickens and he’s a terrific student. He was offered a bucket of money, and he said, ‘No, thank you.’Dewey’s now played by Fargo actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.Kaczmar also spoke with Malcolm France in 2024, saying Sullivan was “very, very good.” He added: “Malcolm did it for seven years, started when he was seven, finished when he was 14. He wasn’t interested in acting at all. He goes to school at a very prestigious university in the United States, which he’s asked us all to keep quiet about, and he loves Charles Dickens. He’s doing postgraduate work in Victorian literature.”He summed it up like this: “I admire that a lot of people think show business is the greatest thing in the world; it’s not for everyone.”So, in reality, Sullivan’s reason for staying out is pretty straightforward: he quit acting years ago and doesn’t want to go back. He’s focused on his studies, reportedly working on a master’s degree at Harvard. His peers say he’s “really, really smart” and more academic than entertaining.He has also kept his private life. After her last acting performance in 2010, she stepped out of the limelight and stopped giving interviews or public appearances.For Sullivan it’s not about the money or any drama. He has simply moved on. Unlike many former child stars looking for a comeback, Sullivan happily walked away and stuck to his new path.According to People, Bryan Cranston once said he invited Sullivan back and got a friendly response, but Sullivan declined. However, there is no bad blood, the co-stars say he is in favor of the revival and they are all still on good terms. The original cast even got Sullivan’s blessing before moving forward to make sure there were no hard feelings.
‘Malcolm in the Middle’: Legacy and Reboot
‘Malcolm in the Middle’ changed the game when it came to television comedy. When it aired from 2000 to 2006, it broke all the old rules. Linwood Boomer created this show about Malcolm, a smart kid stuck in the middle of an absolutely brutal working-class family. He didn’t bother with a laugh track. They used only one camera and let the chaos unfold. The whole thing was real, and at times, downright absurd. Seven seasons, 151 episodes, seven Emmys: it’s got some serious credentials, and people still say it’s one of the best sitcoms around.Dewey, played by Sullivan, kind of stole the show with his sweet innocence, amazing musical chops and sly wit.Now, nearly twenty years after the original finale, the Wilkerson family will be brought back. This time, Malcolm is an adult. He’s trying to figure out life as a father, but of course he can’t escape the madness of his family. The reboot sticks to the tried and true formula: slapstick humor, honest emotion and that biting social commentary. The plot revolves around a family reunion for Hal and Lois’ anniversary, so expect plenty of disaster, just like before.Bryan Cranston has been pushing this comeback for years. He wanted to revisit the characters and the story, and finally, that’s happening.‘Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair’ will be released on Disney+ on April 10.
