Why Eric Per Sullivan Is Not Returning as Dewey in the Malcolm in the Middle Revival

The beloved sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” is making a comeback. After nearly 25 years, the show will return for a limited series on Disney+. Moreover, fans are excited to see Malcolm and his chaotic family once again. However, not all original cast members will return for this revival. This includes Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey. Continue reading to learn more about why Eric Per Sullivan will not return as Dewey. 

The Show’s Return

Disney+ announced last December that it would reboot “Malcolm in the Middle”. This new series will consist of four episodes. Linwood Boomer, the original creator, will write the new episodes. Moreover, Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, shared the joy of bringing back the original cast. He emphasized that the show captured the essence of family life with humor and heart. The original cast members returning include –

1. Frankie Muniz as Malcolm
2. Bryan Cranston as Hal, the father
3. Jane Kaczmarek as Lois, the mother

Fans look forward to the familiar faces and the chaos that made the show so memorable. The new series promises laughs, pranks, and surprises.

Dewey’s Absence

Erik Per Sullivan will not reprise his role as Dewey in the new series. Dewey is Malcolm’s younger director. He is one of five boys in the family. The decision came after Sullivan left the acting profession. He chose to focus on his studies and pursue a university education.

Jane Kaczmarek plays Lois. She commented on Sullivan’s decision. Also, she expressed admiration for his choice. She stated that many think being in show business is the best thing ever. However, it is not the right path for everyone. Thus, his choice to pursue education over acting shows maturity and an understanding of what he truly wants.

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New Actor for Dewey

In place of Erik, Dewey will be played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark. This Canadian actor will take on the role of the now-adult Dewey, who is musically talented. Also, Ellsworth-Clark has previous acting experience. This includes a role in the movie “The Thicket”. He also has appearances in “Fargo” and “Joe Pickett”.

Other Cast Changes

Several other cast members will also not return for the revival. The Rodriguez twins, James and Lukas, are not reprising their roles. They played Malcolm’s younger brother, Jamie. Instead, Anthony Timpano from “Riverdale” will portray the adult Jamie.

This makes the show slightly different. However, the new actors will hopefully capture the spirit of their characters. Thus, fans will be eager to see how the new actors fit into the well-known dynamics of the Walkerson family.

A New Family Member

The revival will also introduce a new character. In the final episode of the original series, it was revealed that Hal and Lois were expecting a sixth child. The new addition will be a daughter named Kelly. Vaughan Murrae will play this character. She has previously acted in “The Way Home”. Also, fans are curious about this new character’s role. They would like to see how she will fit into the chaotic family setting.

Malcolm’s New Life

As the series picks up, Malcolm has now become an adult. He has a teenage daughter named Leah. Keeley Karsten, known for her work in “The Fabelmans” will play Leah. Moreover, she is known for her work in “Adult Best Friends”. The new series will explore how Malcolm navigates fatherhood. This is while dealing with his chaotic family in the background.

The focus of the new series will be on the Wilkerson family. They come together to celebrate Hal and Lois’s 40th wedding anniversary. Thus, Malcolm and Leah will join the family chaos as the anniversary party approaches. The reunion is expected to lead to hilarious situations. This will be with all the siblings and their families interacting.