Image Credit: Everett/AP
When it debuted on January 9, 2000, Malcolm in the Middle swiftly ascended to prominence, standing out as one of the most viewed and cherished sitcoms of the decade. The FOX television program chronicled the zany lives of the Wilkerson family, wrapping up in 2006 after 151 episodes, amassing 33 Emmy nods and securing seven victories throughout its original airing.
The narrative revolved around Malcolm, portrayed by Frankie Muniz, along with his peculiar relatives, encompassing parents Bryan Cranston (Hal) and Jane Kaczmarek (Lois), in addition to his siblings. Despite the series concluding almost twenty years prior, the ensemble has maintained ties, and admirers have persistently wished for a revival.
That reunion is finally materializing. A revival for Disney+ is in development, reuniting numerous original performers, notably Muniz, Cranston, Christopher Kennedy Masterson (Francis), Justin Berfield (Reese), and Emy Coligado (Piama). The limited series, entitled Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, will center on Malcolm as a grown-up with a daughter, drawing him back into his family’s turmoil for his parents’ important anniversary.
Notably, Erik Per Sullivan, who initially embodied Dewey, will not be involved in the comeback, having retired from performing some time ago, and the part has been re-casted.
Embark on a nostalgic journey as we delve into the current endeavors of the ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ family!
Frankie Muniz
Frankie Muniz then and now. (Everett/AP)
Frankie Muniz commenced his role as the central character in Malcolm in the Middle when he was only 14 years of age. Malcolm was among Lois and Hal’s offspring in the popular FOX series. Malcolm was a prodigy blessed with a photographic recollection. Frankie’s acting garnered him an Emmy nomination coupled with two Golden Globe nominations.
Throughout Malcolm in the Middle’s 7-season duration, Frankie graced the screen in motion pictures such as Big Fat Liar, Agent Cody Banks, and Racing Stripes. Of particular mention, he lent his voice to the character of Chester McBadbat in The Fairly Oddparents and appeared as a guest star in an episode of Lizzie McGuire during 2002.
Frankie opted to withdraw from performing to investigate a career in open-wheel racing in 2008. He further held the position of drummer within the musical ensemble Kingsfoil spanning from 2012 until 2014. Frankie took part as one of the famous individuals participating on the 25th season of Dancing With the Stars. He secured the third-place position. Subsequently, he proceeded to co-host Dancing With the Stars Juniors alongside Jordan Fisher in 2018.
The thespian and his longtime sweetheart, Paige Price, revealed their engagement during 2018 and formalized their union in February 2020. They celebrated the arrival of their inaugural offspring, a son, in March 2021.
Bryan Cranston
Bryan Cranston then and now. (Everett/AP)
Bryan Cranston played Hal, the father figure in Malcolm in the Middle. Following the conclusion of the program in 2006, Bryan moved forward to obtain his most unforgettable role to date, embodying Walter White in the AMC production Breaking Bad. He was distinguished with 4 Emmys in recognition of his work in the dramatic TV show.
He has also taken part in cinematic projects like Argo, The Upside, Little Miss Sunshine, and Isle of Dogs. He obtained an Oscar nomination due to his rendering of screenwriter and novelist Dalton Trumbo in the 2015 motion picture Trumbo.
Bryan has gained recognition as a theater performer too. He achieved his first Tony Award through his depiction of former President Lyndon B. Johnson in All The Way during 2014. He took up the part again in the 2016 HBO picture. He garnered a subsequent Tony due to his acting in Network. The actor took the leading role and acted as executive producer for the Showtime limited series, Your Honor.
Jane Kaczmarek
Jane Kaczmarek then and now. (Everett/AP)
Jane Kaczmarek was cast as Lois, Malcolm’s maternal figure, within the FOX sitcom. She was the recipient of 7 consecutive Emmy nominations in light of her acting in Malcolm in the Middle. She similarly gathered 3 Golden Globe nominations.
In the time since Malcolm in the Middle ended its run, Jane has made appearances in broadcasts such as Law & Order: SVU, The Big Bang Theory, Carol’s Second Act, and This Is Us. She equally accepted parts in films like CHiPs and 6 Balloons. She performed as a guest star within an episode of the TV show mixed-ish in 2019.
Jane and actor Bradley Whitford legally separated in 2009 upon spending 17 years as spouses. Their legal parting was settled in 2010. They are parents to three children together.
Christopher Kennedy Masterson
Christopher Kennedy Masterson then and now. (Everett/AP)
Christopher Kennedy Masterson took on the character of Francis, Hal and Lois’ eldest child. Subsequent to the conclusion of the program during 2006, Christopher was featured in numerous films and guest-starred across broadcasts like White Collar, Men at Work, and Haven. His final TV and cinema undertakings occurred in 2014. Christopher presently works as a DJ.
Christopher is additionally the younger sibling of That ’70s Show personality Danny Masterson. His half-siblings include Alanna and Jordan Masterson. He was romantically involved with That ’70s Show celebrity Laura Prepon from 1999 up to 2007. Christopher has now entered matrimony with actress Yolanda Pecoraro. Together, they are parents to a daughter named Chiara, who was born in 2021.
Justin Berfield
Justin Berfield then and now. (Everett/Mega)
Justin Berfield played Reese, Malcolm’s older sibling. His vocation following Malcolm in the Middle has shifted toward increased involvement behind the scenes. In particular, he fulfilled the role of producer for the films Romance and Cigarettes and Blonde Ambition.
Justin serves as the Chief Creative Officer of Virgin Produced, which represents the cinema, television, and entertainment arm of the British Virgin Group. Virgin Produced was inaugurated back in 2010. He now takes on the role of father to a baby girl, who came into the world in 2020 alongside his spouse Liza.
Erik Per Sullivan
Erik Per Sullivan then and now. (Everett/Mega)
Erik Per Sullivan was cast as Dewey for the whole of Malcolm in the Middle’s 151 episodes. Dewey was the younger brother of Malcolm. Erik’s most recent portrayal in film occurred with the movie Twelve in 2010, and, since then, it would appear he has ended his acting career.
Following his departure from Hollywood, Erik temporarily enrolled at the University of Southern California prior to giving his attention to studies. He is now stated to be pursuing a master’s level degree at Harvard University, concentrating on Victorian writings.
In 2026, Erik received press coverage subsequent to the announcement that he opted out of taking part in the Disney+ version of Malcolm in the Middle. Bryan mentioned on the Fly on the Wall podcast that Erik remained “the sole individual who opted not to come back,” elaborating, “He’s genuinely, exceedingly brilliant, and he’s pursuing his master’s studies at Harvard presently. He remarked, ‘Oh, certainly not. It has been quite some time since I last acted, perhaps when I was 9 or something similar, hence I’m uninterested.’”
Bryan appended that, even though he declined participation in the revival, Erik still perceived the show’s return as “fantastic.”