Why One ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Star Is Not Returning For ‘Life’s Still Unfair’
After 20 years of waiting, fans will finally have the chance to reunite with Frankie Muniz’s Malcolm when Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair debuts on Hulu and Disney+ later this week.
Helping usher in the age of single-camera comedies, Malcolm in the Middle aired on Fox from 2000 to 2006, producing 151 episodes.
“Malcolm in the Middle is a landmark sitcom that captured the essence of family life with humor, heart, and relatability,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television.
Photo: PEOPLE
“Its hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of a lovably chaotic family resonated with audiences of all ages, and we’re so excited to welcome the original cast back to bring that magic to life again.”
The Original Cast Is (Almost) All Returning
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair will see most of the original cast return. In addition to Muniz, the revival brings back Bryan Cranston (Hal), Jane Kaczmarek (Lois), Christopher Masterson (Francis), and Justin Berfield (Reese).
Photo: Entertainment Weekly
When the cast was first announced, fans quickly noticed that Erik Per Sullivan would not be returning as Dewey.
Why Sullivan Will Not Return
While Sullivan had a successful acting career, he seemingly stepped away from the industry in 2010 and has remained out of the spotlight ever since, including during previous reunion discussions.
Photo: Variety
During a recent interview with The Guardian, Kaczmarek revealed that Sullivan was offered “buckets of money” to return for Life’s Still Unfair, but ultimately declined.
“[Sullivan] is studying Dickens and is an incredible student. They offered him buckets of money to come back, and he just said, ‘No thank you,’” she explained.
Photo: LADBible
Kaczmarek’s comments align with those previously made by Cranston, who noted that Sullivan has been pursuing a master’s degree at Harvard University.
With Sullivan choosing to remain retired, Dewey will now be played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.
Photo: Hulu
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair premieres April 10 on Hulu and Disney+.
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