‘Malcolm’ Revival Offered Erik Per Sullivan ‘Buckets of Money’

The “Malcolm in the Middle” revival will not feature the return of Erik Per Sullivan, despite the show’s efforts to pull him away from his studies at Harvard University to play Dewey, Malcolm’s younger brother.

In an interview with The Guardian, star Jane Kaczmarek, who played Per Sullivan’s on-screen mother, said the retired actor is “studying Dickens and is an incredible student. They offered him buckets of money to come back, and he just said, ‘No thank you.’”

Per Sullivan is the only cast member from the original ensemble to be recast for the upcoming four-episode revival, officially titled “Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair.” The character of Dewey will now be played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.

In the revival, the titular Malcolm is dragged back into his family’s drama when Hal (Bryan Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand his presence at their 40th anniversary party.

Frankie Muniz returns as Malcolm. Christopher Kennedy Masterson and Justin Berfield will reprise their roles as Malcolm’s brothers, Francis and Reese, respectively. Emy Coligado plays Francis’ wife Piama. “Life’s Still Unfair” will introduce Anthony Timpano and Vaughan Murrae as the youngest and now grown-up siblings Jamie and Kelly, as well as Keeley Karsten as Malcolm’s daughter Leah and Kiana Madeira as his girlfriend Tristan.

“Life’s Still Unfair” will premiere on April 10 on Hulu and Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the US, as well as on Disney+ internationally.