Jane Kaczmarek Says Erik Per Sullivan Turned Down “Buckets of Money” to Return for ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Revival

The upcoming revival of Malcolm in the Middle is bringing back most of its original cast, but one key actor will not return. Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey in the original series, has chosen not to take part in the new project.

According to Jane Kaczmarek, who spoke to The Guardian, the production team made serious efforts to get him back.

She explained that he is now focused on his studies at Harvard University and is doing very well academically. She said, “studying Dickens and is an incredible student. They offered him buckets of money to come back, and he just said, ‘No thank you.’”

Because of his decision, the role of Dewey has been recast. Actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark will take over the character in the new four-episode revival, titled “Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair.”

The new story follows Malcolm as he gets pulled back into his family’s chaos. His parents, Hal and Lois, want him to attend their 40th wedding anniversary, which leads to more family drama. Bryan Cranston returns as Hal, while Kaczmarek reprises her role as Lois.

Several familiar faces are also coming back. Frankie Muniz will again play Malcolm. Christopher Kennedy Masterson and Justin Berfield return as Francis and Reese. Emy Coligado is also back as Piama. The revival will introduce new characters too, including Malcolm’s daughter and girlfriend, along with older versions of his younger siblings.

The show is set to premiere on April 10. It will be available on Hulu and Disney+ in the United States for bundle users, and on Disney+ in other regions.

It’s interesting to see someone turn down a big offer like this, especially for a show that still has a strong fan base. At the same time, it shows that Erik Per Sullivan is serious about his life outside acting. Some fans may be disappointed, but others might respect his decision. What do you think about this choice? Do you think the show will feel the same without him? Share your thoughts in the comments.