Dewey Recast in Malcolm Reboot for Good Reason

The *Malcolm in the Middle* reboot is officially moving forward, and fans are buzzing with excitement. The revival brings back the original cast in their iconic roles — with one notable exception. Erik Per Sullivan, who portrayed the mischievous youngest brother Dewey, will not be returning to the series. Instead, the role will be recast with Caleb Ellsworth-Clark stepping into Dewey’s shoes for the new episodes.

In a recent episode of Dana Carvey and David Spade’s *Fly on the Wall* podcast, Bryan Cranston, who famously plays the show’s well-meaning but often overwhelmed father Hal, shared details about Sullivan’s decision to sit out the revival. He recounted a conversation where he reached out personally to let Sullivan know the reboot was happening. “I said, ‘Hey, we got the show! It’s going to come back,’” Cranston explained. “He goes, ‘Oh, that’s fantastic!’ And I go, ‘Yeah, so we’re looking forward to having you back.’ He goes, ‘Oh, no, no, I don’t want to do it. But it’s fantastic.’”

The cast of Malcolm In The Middle in 2001

At 33 years old, Sullivan has moved far beyond the entertainment industry and is now focused on an entirely different path. As Cranston proudly noted during the podcast, Sullivan is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Harvard University. “He’s actually going to Harvard,” Cranston added. “He’s really, really smart… He said, ‘Oh God, no, I haven’t acted since I was nine or something. So I’m not into it.’”

Sullivan originally left acting behind at age 19, just four years after *Malcolm in the Middle* wrapped its successful run from 2000 to 2006. His choice to step away from Hollywood clearly led him toward an impressive academic journey — one that doesn’t include a return to the spotlight.

The rest of the main cast, however, is fully onboard for the revival. Joining Bryan Cranston will be Frankie Muniz as the titular character Malcolm, Jane Kaczmarek as Lois, Justin Berfield as Reese, and Christopher Masterson as Francis. Their reunion has been a major draw for longtime fans eagerly anticipating new content from the beloved sitcom.

Production on the reboot recently concluded, with plans for four brand-new half-hour episodes. While a specific release date has yet to be announced, all signs point to Disney+ as the streaming home for the revival. Fans around the world are hopeful that the updated adventures of the Wilkerson family will arrive sooner rather than later.