Dewey Malcolm: The Surprising Reason Erik Per Sullivan Skipped the ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Revival
News alerts have been buzzing about the upcoming ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ revival, titled ‘Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair,’ set to debut on Hulu this week. While most of the original cast is reuniting after nearly 20 years, one familiar face will be noticeably absent: Erik Per Sullivan, the actor who originally brought Dewey to life. And the reason? He turned down a substantial offer to focus on his education at Harvard University.
A Generous Offer Declined
Jane Kaczmarek, who brilliantly portrayed the matriarch Lois, revealed to The Guardian that Per Sullivan was presented with a significant financial incentive to rejoin the cast. “They offered him buckets of money to come back, and he just said, ‘No thank you,’” Kaczmarek explained. It seems academic pursuits hold more appeal for Per Sullivan than a return to the spotlight.
From Sitcom Star to Harvard Student
Bryan Cranston, reprising his role as the hilariously hapless Hal, shared further insight on the “Fly on the Wall” podcast. He recounted a conversation with Per Sullivan, where the actor expressed excitement about the revival but firmly declined participation. “I talked to Erik, and I said, ‘Hey, we got the show! It’s going to come back.’ He goes, ‘Oh, that’s fantastic!’ And I go, ‘Yeah, so we’re looking forward to having you back.’ He goes, ‘Oh, no, no, I don’t want to do it. But it’s fantastic,’” Cranston recalled.
Cranston, known for his Emmy-winning performance in “Breaking Bad,” added that Per Sullivan hasn’t acted since childhood and has no desire to return to the profession. “He’s actually going to Harvard,” Cranston stated. “He’s really, really smart, and he’s getting his master’s at Harvard right now. He said, ‘Oh God, no, I haven’t acted since I was 9 or something. So I’m not into it.’”
Dewey Recast for the Revival
With Per Sullivan’s absence, the role of Dewey has been recast, with actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark stepping into the shoes of the youngest Malcolm brother. The original ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ was a television staple, running for seven seasons and producing over 150 episodes, earning numerous accolades as documented on IMDb.
What to Expect from the Revival
The revival kicks off with Malcolm, played by Frankie Muniz, attending his parents, Hal and Lois, 40th wedding anniversary. Cranston has expressed his enthusiasm for revisiting the role of Hal, telling the Guardian, “It was seven great years of my life, in which I met the most wonderful people. There’s no better job than going to work and thinking of how to be funny.”
It’s a testament to Per Sullivan’s dedication to his studies that he prioritized academics over a potentially lucrative return to television. While fans may miss the original Dewey, his commitment to education is certainly admirable.
