{"id":373531,"date":"2026-04-10T21:28:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T21:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/373531\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T21:28:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T21:28:12","slug":"buckets-of-money-still-couldnt-convince-dewey-actor-to-return-for-malcolm-in-the-middle-revival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/373531\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Buckets Of Money\u2019 Still Couldn\u2019t Convince Dewey Actor To Return For Malcolm In The Middle Revival"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After almost two decades away from screens, Malcolm in the Middle has returned with a four-episode revival.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While most of the main cast, including Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston, came back, Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey, was nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n

Dewey, Malcolm\u2019s younger brother, was one of the series\u2019 most heartfelt characters, largely thanks to Sullivan\u2019s charming performance. Ahead of the revival\u2019s release, it was revealed that the character, now an adult, would be recast.\u00a0<\/p>\n

HighlightsMalcolm in the Middle revival features most of the original main cast, but one star is noticeably absent.Cast and producers have shared rare updates about the Dewey actor\u2019s life after the sitcom ended.The reboot recasts the fan-favorite role of Dewey, with an uncanny replacement.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why Sullivan chose not to return and what he\u2019s been up to since the sitcom ended.<\/p>\n

Why didn\u2019t Erik Per Sullivan return for Malcolm in the Middle revival?<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\u2018Buckets<\/p>\n

Image credits: Vince Bucci\/Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n

Erik Per Sullivan played Dewey in all 151 episodes of Malcolm in the Middle. After the series ended in 2006, the child star stepped away from acting to focus on his studies. In 2009, he enrolled at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His last screen appearance came in the 2012 teen crime drama Twelve, directed by Batman Forever filmmaker Joel Schumacher. Over the years, Sullivan has kept a low profile away from showbiz.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\u2018Buckets<\/p>\n

Image credits: Fox<\/a><\/p>\n

During an appearance on the Fly on the Wall podcast in June 2025, his on-screen dad, Bryan Cranston, revealed that Sullivan was currently studying at Harvard and had opted not to reunite with his co-stars<\/a> for the revival.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s really, really smart, and he\u2019s getting his master\u2019s at Harvard right now,\u201d Cranston said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Breaking Bad star<\/a> added that the Dewey actor, now 33, was no longer interested in acting and instead focused on his studies.<\/p>\n

While Cranston was excited to have him back for the revival, Sullivan told him, \u201cOh God, no, I haven\u2019t acted since I was 9 or something. So I\u2019m not into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erik Per Sullivan is the star from the original \u201cMalcolm In The Middle\u201d who is NOT returning for the upcoming reboot \u2026 and it looks like civilian life is treating him just fine. https:\/\/t.co\/883nZYaEjk<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/ItejLzxRYs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 TMZ (@TMZ) April 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

After learning what he\u2019s been up to, most fans were convinced Sullivan\u2019s decision was in line with his character.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, coulda been the reason Dewey himself couldn\u2019t be around,\u201d one user wrote on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another added, \u201cSuch a Dewey thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Malcolm in the Middle producers tried hard to bring Erik Per Sullivan back<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\u2018Buckets<\/p>\n

Image credits: thewaltdisneycompany.com<\/a><\/p>\n

ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Jane Kaczmarek, who plays Lois, told The Guardian<\/a> that Sullivan was studying Victorian literature at Harvard. He was reportedly offered a large sum to reprise his role but declined.<\/p>\n

She said, \u201cThey offered him buckets of money to come back, and he just said: \u2018No thank you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\u2018Buckets<\/p>\n

Image credits: Arnaldo Magnani\/Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n

In a separate chat with ScreenRant<\/a>, producer Tracy Katsky revealed the creative team tried hard to convince Sullivan to return. Dewey\u2019s scenes were written so Sullivan could be incorporated at the last minute.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew that if he was just on a laptop, we could film the whole thing [remotely at the end].\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Sullivan was firm on his stance, and Katsky respected the former child star<\/a>\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

Who plays Dewey in Malcolm in the Middle: Life\u2019s Still Unfair?<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\u2018Buckets<\/p>\n

Image credits: Kristina Bumphrey\/Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n

Ultimately, the producers had to recast Dewey for the revival, but understood it would be tough for fans to accept a new actor in the role.<\/p>\n

Eventually, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark was cast as Sullivan\u2019s replacement after casting director Juel Bestrop noticed his uncanny resemblance to Dewey in the original series.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe actually looks more like Dewey than Erik now looks like Dewey,\u201d Katsky said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\u2018Buckets<\/p>\n

Image credits: Hulu<\/a><\/p>\n

ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n

Ellsworth-Clark hails from Canada and has previously appeared in shows such as The Expanse, Fargo, and The Handmaid\u2019s Tale.<\/p>\n

The revival premiered on April 10 to mostly positive reviews and currently holds an 82% critics\u2019 score on Rotten Tomatoes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Malcolm in the Middle: Life\u2019s Still Unfair is streaming on Hulu.<\/p>\n

Thanks! Check out the results: <\/p>\n

Total votes \u00b7 <\/p>\n

Newsletter<\/p>\n

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls <\/p>\n

\"Subscribe <\/p>\n

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Thank you! You’ve successfully subscribed to newsletters!<\/p>\n