After all these years, it might as well have been Erik Per Sullivan expressing, You’re not the boss of me now! As the highly anticipated Malcolm in the Middle revival has successfully completed filming and is set to premiere on Disney+ later this year, many fans are left wondering: What happened to Dewey? Erik Per Sullivan, the beloved character portrayed by the actor, will notably be absent from the revival, making him the only original cast member not returning. This absence isn’t due to a lack of enthusiasm from fellow cast member Bryan Cranston, who has expressed interest in having him back on screen.

Bryan Cranston quickly resumed his role as a supportive TV father when he reached out to Erik Per Sullivan with exciting news about the show’s return. During their conversation, he shared, “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.’” This exchange highlights not only Cranston’s enthusiasm but also Sullivan’s decision to step away from acting.

Having frequently been the subject of “Where Are They Now?” articles concerning former child actors, Erik Per Sullivan has chosen a path that diverges from the entertainment industry; he now focuses on studying Victorian literature instead of acting. Cranston elaborated on Sullivan’s academic pursuits, stating, “He’s actually going to Harvard. He’s really, really smart, and he’s getting his master’s at Harvard right now. He said, ‘Oh God, no, I haven’t acted since I was 9 or something. So I’m not into it.’” Sullivan’s last acting credit dates back to 2010 when he was just 18 years old, and as he approaches his mid-30s while attending graduate school, it’s understandable he might feel a bit out of practice.

Rather than completely writing off the character of Dewey, the producers have opted to cast Caleb Ellsworth-Clark as a replacement, a decision that seems to hold promise based on his physical resemblance to the original character. This change may bring a fresh perspective to Dewey’s character while still trying to capture the essence that fans loved in the original series.

As we eagerly await the premiere of the Malcolm in the Middle revival, it remains to be seen how the show will fare without Erik Per Sullivan. We extend our best wishes to him as he embarks on his academic journey away from the entertainment spotlight.

Are you excited about the return of Malcolm in the Middle? What do you think about the decision to replace Dewey? How significant do you believe this change will be for the show’s dynamic?