1 Malcolm In The Middle Star Won't Return For The Disney+ Revival

The most dysfunctional family in sitcom history is making a comeback. Two decades after Malcolm in the Middle first aired, Disney+ announced a revival series is in development, and most of the show’s main characters are already confirmed to reprise their roles. However, one will be missing. Here’s what the new story will be about.

Disney+ confirmed the follow-up series on Dec. 13, with stars Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek sharing videos emphasizing their excitement to return. “I have been waiting for this moment for 18 years. Let’s find out where Malcolm and his family are now,” Muniz said in his video.

Muniz played teen genius Malcolm in the Fox series, which ran for seven seasons from 2000 to 2006. Cranston and Kaczemarek played Malcolm’s beleaguered parents, Hal and Lois. In the show’s series finale, Malcolm graduated high school and enrolled in Harvard, while Hal and Lois were shocked to discover that Lois had become pregnant.

Now, fans will get answers to what happened in the 18 years since those final moments. The revival’s logline teases that Malcolm is a father himself now, and will be forced to reconnect with his parents. “Malcolm and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal and Lois demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party,” the synopsis reads, per Variety.

But the family reunion is only going to last a limited time. Here’s all the info.

The Revival Will Only Be Four Episodes Long

It sounds like this sequel series will be a quick little treat to give fans some insight into what Malcolm and his family are up to in 2025. The new show is only going to consist of four episodes. The short run also seems to suggest there won’t be more seasons, but that has yet to be officially revealed.

More OG Cast Members Are Also Coming Back

Shortly after Muniz, Cranston, and Kaczmarek were confirmed to be reprising their roles, more of Malcolm’s siblings also revealed their involvement. Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield will return as Malcolm’s older brothers Francis and Reese. Additionally, Anthony Timpano is joining the chaos as the older version of Malcolm’s baby brother Jamie, and Vaughan Murrae will play Kelly, the youngest sibling who’s birth was teased in the original show’s finale.

While almost all of the family is getting back together, there’s one OG star who isn’t coming back.

The Role Of Dewey Was Recast

The fam will look a bit different this time. Erik Per Sullivan, who played Malcolm’s eccentric younger brother Dewey, is not reprising his role in the revival. Instead, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark is taking over the part.

The reason for the recasting seems to be that Per Sullivan has quit show business in the years since Malcolm in the Middle. Kaczmarek revealed in a 2024 interview that Per Sullivan isn’t “interested in acting at all” anymore, and is currently studying Victorian literature at an undisclosed university.

Don’t have Disney+ yet? You can sign up here.