The “Malcolm in the Middle” revival is bringing back some familiar faces and a few new ones — and making one major casting change.
Variety has learned that Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield are returning for the Disney+ update of the classic sitcom, reprising the roles of Francis and Reese, respectively.
However, Erik Per Sullivan will officially not be returning as Dewey. Instead, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark (“Fargo,” “The Expanse”) will take over the role for the four-episode revival from Disney Branded Television.
In addition, Anthony Timpano (“Riverdale,” “Nancy Drew”), Vaughan Murrae (“Before I Change My Mind,” “The Way Home”), and Keeley Karsten (“The Fabelmans,” “Hunters”) will also star. Timpano will play Malcolm’s youngest brother, Jamie, while Murrae will play Malcolm’s youngest sibling, Kelly. Karsten will play Malcolm’s daughter, Leah.
(Pictured, left to right: Anthony Timpano, Vaughan Murrae, Keeley Karsten)
As previously announced Frankie Muniz is returning in the title role, with Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek set play parents Hal and Lois once again. Variety also exclusively reported that Kiana Madeira will star as Tristan, Malcolm’s girlfriend.
Ellsworth-Clark is repped by Integral Artists. Timpano is repped by The Characters Talent Agency. Murrae is repped by Oscars Abrams Zimel & Associates Inc. Karsten is repped by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Buchwald.
Jamie was introduced in the fourth season of “Malcolm in the Middle,” while Kelly is a new character whose presence was hinted at in the series finale when it was revealed Hal and Lois were expecting a sixth child.
Kelly is further described as “the youngest child of Lois and Hal, who is self-sufficient, gets good grades and already wiser than most of the family.” Leah is said to be “the daughter of Malcolm and has the same sarcastic humor, same impulsiveness and the same frighteningly high intelligence as him, but she’s far more sensitive and emotional.”
Per Sullivan not returning to the series is not surprising, given that he largely gave up acting following the conclusion of “Malcolm in the Middle” in 2006. His last onscreen credit came in 2010 with the feature “Twelve.” He has also been absent from past cast reunions of the series over the years.
“Malcolm in the Middle” is set to begin production in the coming weeks in Vancouver. The official logline for the new episodes states, “Malcolm and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal and Lois demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.”
Linwod Boomer created the original series and returns as writer and executive producer on the revival. Cranston, Tracy Katsky of KatCo, Gail Berman and New Regency’s Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Natalie Lehmann are executive producers. Ken Kwapis will direct all four episodes and executive produce. Jimmy Simons and Laura Delahaye are co-executive producers. The limited series is produced by 20th Television and New Regency.
(Pictured above, left to right: Christopher Masterson, Justin Berfield, Caleb Elsworth-Clark)
