Get ready to reunite with the lovable but chaotic Wilkerson family as a new revival series of Malcolm in the Middle drops on Disney+, with Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston set to reprise their iconic roles.
Everything We Know About the Malcolm in the Middle Revival
Updated
Mar. 25, 2025
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Malcolm in the Middle
Revival: Yes, No, Maybe, I Don’t Know?
The Hollywood nostalgia machine has been spinning its wheels. But if there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about spinning wheels, it’s NASCAR driver “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m excited” said Frankie Muniz.
Disney+ announced in December 2024 that the actor had signed on to star in a limited run of four new episodes of Malcolm in the Middle, set to start production in Vancouver this April.
Frankie Muniz is an American actor, dancer, and race car driver.
Born on December 21, 1985, in Woodland Hills, California, he gained fame for his roles in the TV series 'Malcolm in the Middle' and films like 'Agent Cody Banks'.
Muniz began racing professionally in 2007 and competed in various IndyCar Series events.
He has also made appearances on reality TV shows, including 'Dancing with the Stars'.
Malcolm in the Middle is an American sitcom that aired from 2000 to 2006.
Created by Linwood Boomer, the show revolves around the dysfunctional 'Wilkerson' family and their youngest son Malcolm's struggles with adolescence.
The show explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and social issues through its relatable characters and witty humor.
With a total of seven seasons and over 150 episodes, Malcolm in the Middle gained a large following and received critical acclaim for its writing and acting.
Just Started Watching
Malcolm in the Middle is one of my favorite shows stated Frankie Muniz recently, who tweeted about starting his binge-watching marathon of the original series, stating he’s got 151 episodes to catch up on before filming resumes in a few days. He expressed excitement about reuniting with his old family and welcomed back Linwood Boomer as the original creator and executive producer.
New Cast Members
While some familiar faces will return, there are also new additions to the cast. Dewey has been recast, and Malcolm’s family tree has expanded with more siblings and children of his own. “It’s going to be great” said Frankie Muniz about working with the new cast members. Caleb Ellsworth-Clark takes over the role of Dewey, while Anthony Timpano joins as Malcolm’s brother Jamie, Vaughan Murrae as Malcolm’s youngest sibling Kelly, Kiana Madeira as Malcolm’s girlfriend Tristan, and Keeley Karsten as Malcolm’s daughter Leah.
Plot Details
The new batch of episodes will follow a middle-age Malcolm and his daughter getting dragged back into the family’s dysfunction at Hal and Lois’s 40th wedding-anniversary party. “It’s going to be funny” said Frankie Muniz about the show’s plot details, but it seems the show’s creators have been working on great ideas for material. A potential plotline about a cat flooding the family’s home could be comedy gold.
Hal and Lois are fictional characters from the popular American sitcom 'Malcolm in the Middle'.
Hal, played by Bryan Cranston, is the well-meaning but often incompetent father.
Lois, played by Jane Kaczmarek, is the strict and sarcastic mother.
The show revolves around their family's chaotic life with six children.
Throughout the series, Hal's ineptitude leads to humorous situations, while Lois' sharp wit provides a balance.
Their contrasting personalities create comedic tension, making them relatable and lovable characters.
Returning Cast Members
Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek will reprise their roles as Hal and Lois, while Christopher Masterson (Francis) and Justin Berfield (Reese) are also set to return. However, “I don’t think he’s going to be in it” said Frankie Muniz about Erik Per Sullivan’s absence from acting for over a decade.
Production Update
No premiere date has been set yet, but Frankie Muniz mentioned that the four episodes function as one storyline. “It leaves on a great note and then see what happens next” said Frankie Muniz about the show’s conclusion. Disney+ hasn’t confirmed whether there’s a possibility of more episodes – only time will tell if we get to see more of the Wilkersons on our screens again.
Rebooting a Classic
The question remains, should the Wilkersons grace our screens again? “I think it’s going to be great” said Frankie Muniz, but Malcolm led the single-cam sitcom charge when it debuted nearly 25 years ago, and its humor and core pathos relied on a scrappy optimism that feels outdated in today’s political climate. The revival raises questions about whether this type of show can thrive in modern times.
