Everything we know about Malcolm in the Middle reboot as key cast member is replaced

It's not long until the new Malcolm in the Middle reboot is set to hit our screens, with the show expected to arrive on Disney+ very soon.

In case you need a recap, the original show followed Malcolm Wilkerson as he navigated his teenage years alongside his brothers Reese, Francis, Dewey and Jamie, mother Lois and father Hal.

The show starred the likes of Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek, and ever since it came to an end back in 2006, fans have been desperate for the gang to do a reboot.

Well, in 2024 the exciting news was announced, with an official plot for the series explaining: “Malcolm (Muniz) and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party."

With the reboot just a matter of weeks away, here's everything we know so far.

What is the Malcolm in the Middle reboot about?

Although much of the plot is under wraps, it's been confirmed that the new Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair episodes will see a grown-up Malcolm and his siblings get together for the 40th wedding anniversary party of parents Hal and Lois.

Speaking about the show, Muniz wrote on X: "Just wrapped filming the Malcolm in the Middle reboot, and man, I’m still reeling. This experience was straight-up incredible - like stepping back into Malcolm’s wild world but with all the love and chaos cranked to 11.

"It went by so fast, like a blur of perfect moments. I wish it could go on forever.

"I'm so happy to have gotten the chance to relive being on this show with a greater appreciation of what we were making knowing how many people around the world truly love Malcolm and his family."

How many episodes will the reboot feature?

The reboot will be made up of four episodes and all four are expected to be available to stream on Disney+ at once.

Who is returning for the reboot?

While Muniz will return in the titular role, he will also join Justin Berfield, who played Reese and Christopher Masterson, who played Francis.

Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey, is not returning and will be replaced by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, while Jamie is set to be played by Anthony Timpano.

Jane Kaczmarek will reprise her role as Lois and Bryan Cranston is set to return as Hal.

Cranston told IndieWire of the reunion: "Seeing the family was the best part. It's been 20 years since we said goodbye, and now we're seeing the family again and each person. All the boys were around the same age, now, that I was when I started 25 years ago.

"They've got kids of their own. It's just great to see."

Why is Erik Per Sullivan not returning?

Cranston explained on Dana Carvey and David Spade's Fly on the Wall podcast about the reasoning behind Sullivan not returning.

"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 said.

"He's actually going to Harvard."

Spade then suggested that Sullivan is 'a normal person now', to which Cranston replied: "Well, I don't think - he's not normal, because he's really - not in my circle normal - he's really, really smart and he's getting, I think he's getting his masters at Harvard right now.

"He said 'oh, God no, I haven't acted since I was nine or something, so I'm not into it'."

Is there a release date for the reboot?

In December 2024, it was confirmed that the reboot would be arriving on Disney+ in December 2025.