Fans have been given their first look at the long-awaited revival of Malcolm in the Middle, with a brand-new trailer revealing what life looks like for the chaotic family more than two decades after the sitcom first became a global hit.
The reboot, officially titled Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair, sees Frankie Muniz returning to the lead role that made him a household name. Now 40, Muniz once again plays Malcolm — the hyper-intelligent middle child struggling to survive in one of television’s most dysfunctional families.
Several familiar faces are also back for the revival, including Bryan Cranston as clueless but lovable dad Hal, Jane Kaczmarek as strict matriarch Lois, Christopher Masterson as rebellious eldest brother Francis, Justin Berfield as dim-witted troublemaker Reese, and Emy Coligado as Francis’ wife Piama.
However, one key role has been recast. Erik Per Sullivan, who originally played youngest brother Dewey, stepped away from acting after the series ended. The character will now be played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, known for roles in The Handmaid’s Tale and Wynonna Earp, as well as appearances in films such as Nightmare Alley and Spiral.
The revival will be a short but highly anticipated return for the beloved sitcom. The new series will consist of four episodes and is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ and Hulu on April 10.
Disney+/Hulu
Original creator Linwood Boomer is returning as writer and executive producer, ensuring the reboot retains the same chaotic tone that defined the original show. The new episodes will also introduce a new member of the family, with Vaughan Murrae joining the cast as youngest sibling Kelly.
The original Malcolm in the Middle first premiered in January 2000 and quickly became one of the defining sitcoms of the early 2000s. Known for its fast-paced humour, fourth-wall breaks and chaotic family dynamics, the series followed gifted child Malcolm as he navigated school, adolescence and the mayhem created by his eccentric family.
The show ran for seven seasons and 151 episodes, finishing in 2006, and was widely praised for its originality. It also played a major role in launching the careers of several cast members — particularly Bryan Cranston, who would later gain worldwide fame as Walter White in Breaking Bad.
During its run, the show was a major awards contender. Frankie Muniz received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, while Bryan Cranston earned three nominations for Supporting Actor. Jane Kaczmarek was nominated for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series every single season the show aired, while the late Cloris Leachman, who played Lois’s outrageous mother Ida, was nominated six times for Guest Actress, winning twice.
The newly released trailer has already sparked huge excitement online. Fans flooded the comments on Hulu’s social media posts after the preview dropped, with many sharing their anticipation for the show’s return.
“My best tv series ever is back,” wrote one fan, while another simply called it “GENIAL.”
Others said the wait until the premiere already feels long, with one viewer writing: “This is going to be the longest month of my whole life... can’t wait.”
For Frankie Muniz, returning to the role has also been an emotional experience. Speaking to People previously about revisiting Malcolm after so many years, he admitted he was unsure how it would feel stepping back onto the set.
“When I was doing Malcolm 20 years ago, I was a kid,” he said.
“So I didn't know what it was gonna be like — if it was going to be easy to be Malcolm, if it was gonna be awkward back with the cast.”
“And not to sound like cliché, but it was as if not a single day went by.”
He added that filming the revival turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences of his career.
“Probably one of the best times I've ever had on a set.”
The reboot arrives just one month before the 20th anniversary of the original finale, making the return of Malcolm in the Middle a nostalgic moment for the millions of viewers who grew up with the show.
