Former 'Malcolm in the Middle' Star Declines Reboot Offer

Erik Per Sullivan chooses to continue graduate studies at Harvard over lucrative TV revival role.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:06pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged black silhouettes against a stark white background, conceptually representing a former child actor's decision to decline a TV revival in order to focus on academic pursuits.A former child star's choice to prioritize education over a lucrative TV revival opportunity speaks to the evolving priorities of some in Hollywood.Boston Today

Erik Per Sullivan, who played the youngest brother Dewey on the hit sitcom 'Malcolm in the Middle' from 2000 to 2006, has declined a lucrative offer to appear in the Disney+ revival of the series. Instead, the 34-year-old actor is focusing on his graduate studies in Victorian literature at Harvard University.

Why it matters

The decision by the former child star to turn down the 'buckets of money' offered for the 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival highlights the changing priorities of some actors who have stepped away from Hollywood to pursue other passions, like higher education. It also speaks to the enduring popularity of the original series and the desire by fans to see the beloved characters reunited.

The details

According to reports, the 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival, titled 'Life's Still Unfair,' will bring back most of the original cast, including Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Chris Masterson, and Justin Berfield. The story will center on a grown-up Malcolm raising a daughter. Producers offered Sullivan a role to reprise his character of Dewey, but he declined in order to continue his academic work at Harvard, where he is pursuing a master's degree in Victorian literature and researching the works of Charles Dickens.

  • Sullivan last acted professionally in 2010 and has largely avoided the public spotlight for 18 years.
  • Discussions about reviving 'Malcolm in the Middle' began more than a decade ago, with Bryan Cranston leading efforts to reunite the cast.
  • Sullivan made a rare public appearance in Boston in April 2025.

The players

Erik Per Sullivan

A 34-year-old actor who played the youngest brother Dewey on the hit sitcom 'Malcolm in the Middle' from 2000 to 2006. He has declined a lucrative offer to appear in the Disney+ revival of the series in order to continue his graduate studies in Victorian literature at Harvard University.

Frankie Muniz

An actor who played the title role of Malcolm on the original 'Malcolm in the Middle' series. He has stated that the cast fully supports Sullivan's decision to stay away from the entertainment industry and focus on his academic pursuits.

Bryan Cranston

An actor who played the father Hal on 'Malcolm in the Middle' and has been leading the efforts to reunite the cast for the revival series.

Jane Kaczmarek

An actress who played the mother Lois on 'Malcolm in the Middle' and has stated that producers offered Sullivan 'buckets of money' to appear in the revival, which he declined.

Caleb Ellsworth-Clark

An actor known for his work in 'Fargo' who has been cast to play the role of Dewey in the 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival, after Sullivan declined to reprise the character.

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What they’re saying

“He made the decision that he didn't want to get back into it — which we completely respect.”

— Frankie Muniz, Actor

“He's an incredible student and he's very focused on his academic work.”

— Jane Kaczmarek, Actress

What’s next

The 'Malcolm in the Middle' revival, titled 'Life's Still Unfair,' is set to premiere on Disney+ later this year, with the new actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark playing the role of Dewey.

The takeaway

Erik Per Sullivan's decision to prioritize his graduate studies over a lucrative acting opportunity highlights the changing priorities of some former child stars, who are choosing to pursue intellectual and academic passions over a return to the entertainment industry. This speaks to the evolving nature of celebrity and the desire for some actors to find fulfillment outside the spotlight.