Bryan Cranston reveals the real reason for the absence of a major Malcolm in the Middle star in the reboot

Almost all of the Malcolm in the Middle original cast are reprising their roles for the four special reunion episodes commissioned by Disney+, except for one major star. Erik Per Sullivan, who played the youngest Wilkerson, Dewey, is the only family member who is not reprising his role for the reunion, which is happening almost two decades after the show ended.

Bryan Cranston, in a recent appearance on the Fly on the Wall podcast, revealed Sullivan isn't coming back for the revival because, unlike his other co-stars, he pursued a career in academics and has not acted since he was a kid. Here's everything we know.

Bryan Cranston reveals why Erik Per Sullivan isn't coming back as Dewey for Malcolm in the Middle reboot

Bryan Cranston, who played the patriarch of the Wilkerson family in Malcolm in the Middle, recently made an appearance on the Fly on the Wall podcast to talk about the upcoming Disney+ revival of the heartwarming sitcom, which aired its last episode two decades ago, back in 2006.

Cranston revealed that he called up Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey Wilkerson on Malcolm in the Middle, when it was confirmed that the show would be revived for four reunion episodes. Sullivan, albeit excited for the possibility, revealed that he wouldn't be interested in it.

"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 revealed that even though he was surprised, he understood Sullivan's decision, because unlike the other actors on the show, Sullivan had opted for a radical change in his career since the show ended in 2006, and had chosen to go into academics instead. Cranston reveals that Sullivan, who is now in his 30s, is an extremely smart individual and has even gotten into one of the top Ivy League colleges for his master's, which he is now pursuing.

"He's actually going to Harvard. He’s really, really smart, and he's getting his master’s at Harvard right now. Erik said, 'Oh God, no, I haven't acted since I was nine or something. So I'm not into it.'

Sullivan also revealed in his call with Cranston that he had not acted since he was nine years old, around the time when the show ended, so it makes sense that he does not want to get involved in the reunion project of Malcolm in the Middle. In the absence of Erik Per Sullivan, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark (Fargo) will be taking up Dewey's role. Additionally, Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, Justin Berfield, and Christopher Masterson are all reprising their respective roles as Malcolm, Lois, Reese, and Francis.

There is no information at the moment regarding the release date for the reboot episodes of Malcolm in the Middle from Disney+; however, it can be expected soon, considering how long Cranston has been pushing for the reboot to happen.

"It’s something I was pushing for for the last 10 years, because I thought that the audience is there. I just started wearing him [series creator Linwood Boomer] down until he said, ‘I’ve got an idea.’ I said, ‘Good,’" Cranston said.

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