Malcolm in the Middle is coming back. The beloved TV show following the life of four naughty kids and their parents is coming back to our screens at some point shortly, with most of its cast members excited to return to the project that launched their careers. Here's all we know about the show:
Who's coming back
While it's difficult to reunite an ensemble cast 20 years after the show first aired, the producers of "Malcolm in the Middle" are trying their hardest to achieve this. As of this writing, Bryan Cranston, who played Hal, the family's father, is returning, alongside Frankie Muniz, the titular Malcolm. Other returning cast members include Justin Berfield, Christopher Masterson, and Jane Kaczmarek as Louis, the boys' mother.
Who's not returning
The most notorious absence is that of Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey in the original series. In an appearance on the "Fly on the Wall" podcast, Cranston said, "I talked to Eric and I said, 'Hey, we got the show! It's going to come back.' 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.'"
Cranston confirmed that Per Sullivan was the only cast member who wasn't returning, mostly because he stopped acting after appearing on the series. "He's actually going to Harvard," said Cranston. "He's really, really smart, and he's getting his master's at Harvard right now. He said, 'Oh God, no, I haven't acted since I was 9 or something. So I'm not into it.'"
What is the reboot about?
The revival is continuing the conclusion of the original series, which ran from 2000 to 2006. The new project will show how the kids have grown up and their lives as adults, sparked by the 40th wedding anniversary of Hal and Lois and a family reunion. The reboot is written by the original series creator, Linwood Boomer, and will consist of a four-episode limited series.
When and where can we watch it?
The "Malcolm in the Middle" sequel will be available to stream on Disney+. While an official release date has yet to be announced, the series is expected to premiere at some point in 2025.