Frankie Muniz Says Fans Will Be ‘Surprised’ by MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE Revival
It’s been almost 20 years since Malcolm in the Middle went off the air, and now the dysfunctional Wilkerson family is back for a limited reboot. But according to Frankie Muniz, fans shouldn’t expect the same old suburban chaos they remember.
During a recent appearance on the Lightweights podcast, Muniz teased that the new four-part series is going to shake things up in ways longtime viewers might not see coming.
“I think people will be surprised, in a sense, where everybody is and the story. It’s hard to fit in 20 years of stuff into four 30-minute episodes, right? But I think people are going to be very happy with what they came up with.”
Muniz lit up when talking about the experience of stepping back into Malcolm’s shoes, describing the shoot as an absolute highlight in his career.
“I’m not exaggerating when I say filming this reboot, like I loved it so much, way more than I ever thought I could have. We ended in May, and I haven’t talked to anybody since, you know what I mean? I’ve been gone.
“I’ve only been home, I think, for 12 days since the beginning of the year. I’m just always crazy, and I think next week, I’m going to have time. I’m going to reach out [to the rest of the cast].”
The original Malcolm in the Middle ran from 2000 to 2006 with 151 episodes across seven seasons, cementing itself as one of the most beloved sitcoms of the early 2000s. The new continuation reunites Muniz with Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Masterson, and Justin Berfield.
Not everyone made it back, though. Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey, did not return. Instead, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark has stepped into the role. The reboot also introduces fresh faces, including Kiana Madeira, Anthony Timpano, Vaughan Murrae, and Keeley Karsten.
Cranston, who slipped back into the role of Hal, told People that he was thrilled to return to the Wilkerson family.
“It’s been almost 20 years since we said goodbye. And he’s a sweet, lovable man. He’s a lovable guy, and it was fun to see my whole family back together. It was great.”
The logline reads: “Malcolm and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal and Lois demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.”
With only four episodes to tell the story, it sounds like fans are in for a fast, funny, and unpredictable ride that will bring both nostalgia and surprises.