Bryan Cranston got shut down by Dewey star for Malcolm in the Middle reboot for a good reason

Unexpectedly, even Bryan Cranston was met with a refusal, which came from Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey in “Malcolm in the Middle.” This wasn’t due to any strained relationships – he had a valid reason for turning down the proposed reboot of the show.

As a gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the timeless charm of Malcolm in the Middle. Its unique, era-defining style, side-splitting humor, and catchy theme tune (“you’re not the boss of me now” is stuck in my head like an unshakable game level) make it a classic sitcom that continues to resonate with millennials.

However, perhaps even more intriguing is what transpired afterward. The show’s cast members diverged in distinct paths. For instance, Frankie Muniz, who played Malcolm Wilkerson, ventured into real estate investment and stock car racing, while Bryan Cranston, who portrayed Hal, took on the role of Walter White in Breaking Bad.

Intriguingly, it appeared as though Dewey’s Sullivan had vanished into anonymity. Yet, with the recent news of a Malcolm in the Middle revival, Bryan Cranston has shed some light on where he’s been keeping busy.

Bryan Cranston reveals why Dewey star won’t be in Malcolm in the Middle reboot

In an episode of Fly On The Wall podcast, Bryan Cranston disclosed that Aaron Sullivan will not be part of the show’s comeback because he’s attending Harvard instead.

Erik Per Sullivan, famous for his role as Dewey in ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ has chosen not to appear in the upcoming series because he is currently enrolled at Harvard.

— TopMob (@TopMob) June 12, 2025

Speaking with Erik recently, I excitedly shared, “Great news! We’ve secured the show for a comeback.” His reaction was priceless: “Oh, that’s terrific!” I replied enthusiastically, “Absolutely! We can’t wait to have you back.” To which he humbly responded, “No, no, I don’t intend to participate. But it’s wonderful news,” shared the star of Breaking Bad.

He’s likely the sole individual globally who managed to halt Heisenberg, yet it was justified. Bryan Cranston, in fact, only had kind words to express about his previous acting partner.

He’s currently attending Harvard University, demonstrating his exceptional intellect. At this moment, he’s pursuing a master’s degree there. He mentioned, ‘I haven’t acted since I was around nine years old, so acting isn’t really my interest,'” the actor further clarified.

2024 saw the exciting confirmation that Malcolm in the Middle was making a comeback! Originally airing on Fox from 2000-2006 for seven thrilling seasons, this time around we’ll be treated to just four episodes streaming exclusively on Disney+. As a dedicated fan, I can hardly wait!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Disney+ (@disneyplus)

Joining Cranston and Muniz once more are Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield, portraying Francis and Reese respectively. Jane Kaczmarek will make a comeback as Lois, while new actress Keeley Karsten has been brought on board to play Malcolm’s daughter Leah.

The story revolves around Malcolm and his daughter who are unexpectedly involved in a family uproar when Hal and Lois invite Malcolm for their 40th wedding anniversary celebration. As there’s no confirmed release date yet, stay tuned for updates.

While we wait, explore the upcoming TV shows on streaming platforms for this year, the top-rated series of 2025 thus far, and stay updated on every launch by referring to our 2025 Television Release Calendar.

Read More

2025-06-13 17:18