Will the ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Family Still Feel Like One With Dewey Recast?

For fans hoping to see the entire family back under one chaotic roof, this development is bittersweet. Per Sullivan, who played Dewey from 2000 to 2006, quietly stepped away from acting years ago. His last credited role was in the 2010 film Twelve, and he’s since maintained a low profile, missing several cast reunions over the years. According to reports, Sullivan wasn’t involved in the revival’s development, and it’s unclear whether he was ever approached to return. The production appears to have moved forward, assuming he was unavailable—and perhaps uninterested.

New additions and challenges, old antics

Despite this shift, the revival is moving full steam ahead. Set to begin filming in Vancouver in the coming weeks, the plot centers around Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) and his daughter Leah (Keeley Karsten) returning to the family fold for Hal and Lois’ 40th wedding anniversary. Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek are reprising their iconic roles as the manic yet lovable parents, while Christopher Masterson (Francis) and Justin Berfield (Reese) are also back. New additions to the family include Anthony Timpano as Jamie, Vaughan Murrae as Kelly (the sixth child hinted at in the series finale), and Kiana Madeira as Malcolm’s girlfriend, Tristan.

That brings us back to Dewey. Ellsworth-Clark, the newcomer stepping into Sullivan’s shoes, does bear a physical resemblance to the original actor—a small but potentially important win in the minds of viewers who crave continuity. But a matching face doesn’t guarantee matching chemistry, and that’s where things get tricky.

One of the biggest selling points of a revival like this is nostalgia—watching actors with years of shared history bounce off each other effortlessly. The original cast spent six years building a believable, offbeat family dynamic, and Sullivan was an essential part of that magic. Inserting a new actor into that legacy raises fair questions: Can Ellsworth-Clark recapture the oddball charm of Dewey? Will his interactions with the original cast feel authentic, or like a performance built from scratch?

Other revival series have faced similar challenges. The Full House reboot Fuller House simply wrote out the character played by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, citing a wink-and-nod reason. Likewise, Frasier’s Paramount+ revival continues to acknowledge Niles (David Hyde Pierce) off-screen, while focusing on new characters to fill the void. But Malcolm in the Middle seems to be going the bolder route—keeping the character but giving him a new face.

It’s worth noting that recasting isn’t unheard of, even mid-series. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air switched Aunt Vivs with little narrative fuss, and Roseanne infamously traded one Becky for another (and back again). These changes can work, especially if handled with humor or self-awareness, but in a nostalgia-heavy revival, the stakes feel higher.

What’s next?

Will the show acknowledge Dewey’s new face? Or gloss over it entirely? Either way, audiences will likely come to the revival with both curiosity and caution.

As the series gears up for production, fans can expect a mix of familiar chaos and new dynamics, including the introduction of Malcolm’s daughter, Leah, who reportedly shares her father’s sharp intellect and sarcastic wit. Series creator Linwood Boomer is back as writer and executive producer, with Ken Kwapis directing all four episodes. Production is backed by 20th Television and New Regency, promising a polished continuation of the original’s distinct tone.

Whether or not the chemistry holds, one thing is certain: Malcolm in the Middle is getting a fresh spin, and fans—old and new—will be watching closely.

For now, viewers can catch up on the original series, which remains available for streaming on Hulu.

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