Erik Per Sullivan’s Absence from ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Sequel Explained

Dewey is now in the middle of the conversation surrounding the Malcolm in the Middle sequel series. Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey in the early 2000s Fox sitcom, is the only original star who won’t be returning for the Disney+ revival. On a recent podcast with Dana Carvey and David Spade, Bryan Cranston, who played the dad Hal on the show, explained why.

Cranston mentioned that he reached out to Erik and shared the news about the show’s comeback. While Erik was happy about the revival, he declined the offer to return, saying he’s not interested in acting anymore. Cranston revealed that Erik is studying at Harvard, pursuing his master’s degree and focusing on academics.

As a result, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark will take on the role of Dewey in the revival of the series. Malcolm in the Middle originally starred Frankie Muniz as the young genius navigating life in a chaotic family. Cranston reflected on how the actors who played his children on the show are now adults with families of their own.

Muniz, in particular, has shifted his career focus and is now a professional racer in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. It’s fascinating to see how the cast of Malcolm in the Middle has grown up and pursued different paths since the show first aired.