Fans of the beloved sitcom Malcolm in the Middle are in for a treat as Frankie Muniz, the show's original star, recently announced that filming for the highly anticipated revival is set to begin shortly. In a post on his X account, Muniz revealed that he has just started rewatching the series to prepare himself, hinting at his excitement and nostalgia as they prepare to reunite with familiar faces from the past.
This revival comes nearly 20 years after the original series went off the air, with Disney+ breathing new life into the Wilkerson family saga. Announced late last year, the series will feature the return of several familiar faces, including Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, and, of course, Muniz himself. Joining them will be Kiana Madeira, who has been cast as Tristan, Malcolm's girlfriend, adding a fresh dynamic to the mix.
The revival will consist of a four-episode limited series that focuses on Malcolm and his daughter as they navigate the chaotic family reunion at Hal and Lois' 40th wedding anniversary. As previously noted, Disney had initially contemplated turning the revival into a movie before deciding to split the story into manageable parts. Muniz expressed that while this new iteration wraps up matters well, it also leaves the door open for more stories from the Wilkerson family in the future.
In addition to the return of Muniz, Cranston, and Kaczmarek, the revival will also see the return of Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield as Malcolm’s brothers, Francis and Reese, respectively. Newcomer Caleb Ellsworth-Clark will take on the role of Dewey, replacing Erik Per Sullivan, who left acting in 2010 to pursue academics, specifically studying Victorian literature. Meanwhile, Anthony Timpano will portray Malcolm's youngest brother, Jamie, who was introduced later in the original series, while Vaughan Murrae will introduce another new character, Kelly, Malcolm's youngest sibling teased in earlier episodes.
Additions to the cast also include Keeley Karsten as Malcolm's daughter, Leah, rounding out the Wilkerson family just in time for the reunion. The premise of the revival promises to bring back the show's signature humor as Malcolm, Hal, and Lois encounter familial chaos when Hal and Lois insist on Malcolm attending their 40th anniversary party. As Muniz and Cranston have both expressed enthusiasm for this reunion, it seems the magic of the original series lives on in their commitment to revisit their roles.
The Malcolm in the Middle revival, directed by original series veteran Ken Kwapis and produced by Linwood Boomer, who also returns as writer, will begin shooting imminently. Muniz's recent X post teased a busy schedule ahead as he prepares for the filming that kicks off in April 2025, perfectly timed around his professional racing commitments. This rekindling of the classic sitcom is not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane for audiences who grew up with the series, but also an opportunity for the original cast to reconnect and create new memories.
As the project unfolds, details about the revival are steadily emerging. It has been confirmed that all 151 episodes of the original series are available for streaming on Hulu, allowing new generations to experience Malcolm's trials and tribulations growing up in a quirky family. Fans of the show are eagerly awaiting updates, including an official release date for the revival, which is expected at some point in late 2025. The anticipation surrounding the show mirrors the enthusiasm shown during the height of its popularity in the early 2000s, indicating that the magic of Malcolm in the Middle has not faded over the years.
Overall, the revival of Malcolm in the Middle aligns with a growing trend in television where classic shows are revisited, answering the calls for nostalgia while attempting to recapture the unique humor that made them successful in the first place. As the old adage goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and with such a strong core cast returning, fans remain optimistic about what is to come.
So get ready for the Wilkerson family's hilarious hijinks, touching moments, and timeless chaos, returning soon to a screen near you, promising to deliver all the laughs that fans have cherished and new adventures to look forward to!
Malcolm in the Middle, a series that dazzled audiences with its blend of humor and heart, will once again have a chance to resonate with both its devoted fanbase and newcomers when it debuts on Disney+ later this year.
