“Yes, no, maybe? I don’t know. Can you repeat the question?” Those immortal words from the band They Might Be Giants kick off the opening to “Malcolm in the Middle.” The Fox sitcom ran from 2000-2006, and starred Frankie Muniz as the titular Malcolm. The show’s popularity may be even stronger today thanks to Bryan Cranston. His performance as Malcolm’s father, Hal, has been given more recognition thanks to Cranston’s turn as Walter White in “Breaking Bad.”
Almost the entire family is coming back together for the upcoming revival series.
The sitcom is coming back as a four-episode stint on Disney+. An abbreviated run could have the advantage of not having any wasted episodes, but at the time we didn’t know how much of the cast was returning. As it turns out, it’s basically everyone. Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield who played Malcolm’s brothers Francis and Reese respectively, are returning to round out the family that famously has no last name.
The one actor not returning is Erik Per Sullivan. Per Sullivan played the original youngest child, Dewey. Sullivan has seemingly retired from the acting industry, and its been noted he hasn’t participated in cast reunions in the years since the show ended. Instead, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark will be taking over the role. So at least in one form or another, the gang is back together.
As for the plot, we know Malcolm now has a daughter named Leah. She’s described as having “the same sarcastic humor, same impulsiveness and the same frighteningly high intelligence as him, but she’s far more sensitive and emotional.” She’s accompanying her father as his presence is requested at the 40th wedding anniversary of Malcolm’s parents, Hal and Lois. Shenanigans will likely ensue.
Production will be starting shortly in Vancouver. We’ll let you know what else we hear about this and other news.
