Fans of Malcolm in the Middle are thrilled after Bryan Cranston and Frankie Muniz announced new episodes coming to Disney+ through a fun social media video. The news sparked a wave of nostalgia and plenty of questions about which cast members will return—especially Dewey, played by Erik Per Sullivan.
So far, Frankie Muniz (Malcolm), Bryan Cranston (Hal), and Jane Kaczmarek (Lois) are confirmed to return. However, there’s been no mention of Erik Per Sullivan reprising his iconic role as Dewey, which he began portraying at just seven years old.
Unfortunately, Dewey’s return seems unlikely. Erik Per Sullivan stepped away from acting years ago to focus on his personal life and studies. Since then, he’s kept a very low profile, staying out of the public eye and off social media. He’s also skipped past cast reunions, including the virtual special held during the pandemic, reinforcing the idea that he’s left his acting career behind.
They’re back! Malcolm in the Middle returns with 4 brand-new episodes on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/6nYVzjRq3M
— Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) December 13, 2024
Kaczmarek also mentioned that Erik values his privacy and has asked former cast members not to share too much about his personal life. What’s known is that he’s pursuing a graduate degree in Victorian literature at a top U.S. university—a subject he’s passionate about.
Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey in the television sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, received the James Joyce Award from @UCDLnH OTD in 2007. He quit acting in 2010. pic.twitter.com/PUCmizrF1U
— Just Joyce (@johnstonglenn) February 20, 2023
“I really respect him because many people think being in showbiz is the ultimate goal, but it’s not for everyone,” the actress added.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the show’s return, but there’s no official release date yet. The project is still in its early stages, but the excitement for new episodes keeps building.