Malcolm in the Middle was a massive hit TV series that aired for seven seasons from 2000 to 2006. It is now set to make a triumphant return, but what has the cast been up to in the meantime?
Malcolm in the Middle, the award-winning comedy show that aired from 2000 to 2006, is sensationally returning for a reboot. The original cast members, aside from one, are reuniting for the revival and filming is set to begin in Vancouver in the next few weeks.
The sitcom, created by Linwood Boomer and based on his own life experiences, followed the chaotic lives of child prodigy Malcolm Wilkerson (played by Frankie Muniz), his father Hal (Bryan Cranston) and his mother Lois (Jane Kaczmarek), along with his brothers Francis (Christopher Masterson), Reese (Justin Berfield), and Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan).
The show’s unique style often saw the title character breaking the fourth wall with commentary on his family’s peculiar antics. Its single-camera format would later influence future comedy series such as The Office, Arrested Development, Everybody Hates Chris, and 30 Rock.
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It has now been confirmed that Frankie, Bryan, and Jane will reprise their roles for the revival, along with Christopher and Justin returning as Malcolm’s older brothers. However, there will be a new character to play younger brother Dewey, as Erik, who played the role at just seven years old, has since retired from acting.
As we prepare to welcome back Malcolm in the Middle, we’ve taken a look at what the cast have been up to since it last wrapped…
Frankie Muniz
Now aged 39, the New Jersey-born actor received two Golden Globe nominations for his role as Malcolm. However, in 2008, Frankie decided to take a break from acting, reports the Daily Star.
The former child star then pursued a career in open-wheel racing, competing in the Atlantic Championship as part of Team Stargate Worlds. Fast forward to 2011, and he was back behind the wheel for the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, finishing in fourth place.
Frankie also represented Rette Jones Racing, Joey Gase Motorsports, and Reaume Brothers Racing.
He starred as Buddy Holly in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story alongside John C. Reilly, and has since added to his acting portfolio with roles in TV series such as Criminal Series, Preacher, Dancing with the Stars, Harley Quinn, The Rookie, and New Amsterdam.
Frankie’s business pursuits extend beyond acting, with investments in real estate and parking lots, as well as the acquisition and subsequent sale of Arizona speciality store Outrageous Olive Oils and Vinegars. In 2021, he announced a partnership with a carbon fiber wallet manufacturer.
He is happily married to Paige Price, and they have a three-year-old son together.
Bryan Cranston
After retiring his role as Hal Wilkerson, Bryan, 69, hit the jackpot with Vince Gilligan’s iconic crime drama Breaking Bad. He played the character of high-school chemistry teacher Walter White, who morphs into a crystal meth kingpin following a Stage Three lung cancer diagnosis.
The series led to a spin-off titled Better Call Saul and sequel film El Camino, with Bryan reprising his character in both. His career continued to flourish with significant roles in a Dalton Trumbo biopic; the Godzilla reboot at Legendary Pictures; Argo; Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City; Your Honour; Argylle, and the animated Kung Fu Panda franchise.
In 2019, he and Breaking Bad co-star Aaron Paul launched their own mezcal brand, Dos Hombres.
Jane Kaczmarek
Jane, now 69, arguably reached her career pinnacle with her work on Malcolm in the Middle.
Since the end of the sitcom, she’s lent her voice to Judge Constance Harm in The Simpsons and made a guest appearance as Dr. Gallo in a 2016 episode of The Big Bang Theory. She’s also had roles in notable shows like This Is Us, The Changeling and Mixed-ish.
She is a mother to two daughters, Frances and Mary, and a son named George, whom she shares with her ex-husband Bradley Whitford. They divorced in 2010 after 18 years of marriage.
Christopher Masterson
Now married to Yolanda Pecoraro, Christopher, 45, who played Francis, is also a father to a young daughter named Chiara. Like his brother Danny Masterson, known for his role as Steven Hyde in That ’70s Show, he is a follower of Scientology.
Since leaving Malcolm in the Middle, he’s appeared in a handful of projects including police procedural White Collar, sitcom Men at Work, supernatural drama Haven, TV short Kat Fight! and a 2019 Netflix thriller titled Beneath the Leaves.
Justin Berfield
Similarly, Justin, now 39, stepped away from acting and eventually became the Chief Creative Officer of Virgin Produced – a film and TV development, packaging and production company that’s part of the Virgin Group.
He has a daughter with his wife Liza Almeida.
Erik Per Sullivan
Erik, now 33, who played Dewey, famously vanished from the public eye after his breakout role and has stepped down from acting. But fans were given a welcome update from his co-star Jane.
In a previous candid YouTube interview with Malcolm France, she revealed: “He is well. He is very, very well. We did Malcolm for seven years, he started when he was seven, ended when he was 14, he wasn’t interested in acting at all. He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that he has asked us all to be quiet about.
“He loves Charles Dickens, he is doing graduate work in Victorian literature. I admire it because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world and it’s not for everybody,” she further commented.