Bryan Cranston Explains Why Erik Per Sullivan Turned Down Malcolm in the Middle Revival

The beloved cast of Malcolm in the Middle is getting back together for a Disney+ revival, but one familiar face will be missing. Erik Per Sullivan, who portrayed Dewey on the show, has decided not to return. Bryan Cranston, who plays Hal, shared the reason for Sullivan’s absence on the Fly on the Wall podcast with Dana Carvey and David Spade.

Cranston expressed his excitement about revisiting his character, saying it felt “rewarding.” He revealed that he personally spoke to Sullivan, who is now 33, about the revival. According to Cranston, Sullivan has moved on from acting and is currently working towards a master’s degree at Harvard. Despite Cranston’s invitation to return to the show, Sullivan declined, citing that he hasn’t acted since he was 9 years old.

With Sullivan choosing not to reprise his role, the character of Dewey will be played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, known for his work on Wynonna Earp. It will be interesting to see how the series handles this casting change, whether in a meta or comedic way. The four-episode revival is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in December.

Cranston also shared that he had been pushing for a reunion for over a decade. Show creator Linwood Boomer was initially hesitant but eventually agreed after years of persuasion. The return of Malcolm in the Middle is highly anticipated by fans of the original series.