Malcolm in the Middle returns nearly 20 years later with a four-episode Hulu reboot that reunites most of the original cast and explores Malcolm’s life at midlife.
Malcolm in the Middle is officially back, with Hulu reviving the beloved sitcom for a limited four-episode run that leans into nostalgia while exploring a new chapter in Malcolm Wilkerson’s life.
Titled Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, the reboot premieres April 10 on Hulu and reunites much of the original cast nearly two decades after the Fox comedy went off the air. Frankie Muniz reprises his role as Malcolm, who is pulled back into his chaotic family orbit to help celebrate his parents Hal and Lois’ 40th wedding anniversary.
Bryan Cranston returns as Hal and Jane Kaczmarek is back as Lois, alongside several familiar Wilkerson siblings. The revival arrives almost 20 years after the original series ended its seven-season run, which aired from January 2000 to May 2006 and totaled 151 episodes.
Disney, which now owns the Malcolm in the Middle library after acquiring much of 20th Century Fox’s entertainment assets in 2019, is tapping into a broader nostalgia-driven strategy. Research cited by the company shows that about 60% of all TV consumed today is library content, with Gen Z in particular gravitating toward older shows for comfort and familiarity. Disney’s own findings reveal that a quarter of young viewers’ favorite shows were produced before 2010.
The reboot is not bringing back every original cast member. Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey, will not return, as he has stepped away from acting. The character has been recast, with Caleb Ellsworth-Clark taking over the role. While the Wilkerson family home will look familiar, it has been rebuilt for the production after the original Studio City house used for exterior shots was renovated years ago.
New additions expand Malcolm’s world as well. The limited series introduces Malcolm’s daughter, played by Keeley Karsten, along with his girlfriend, portrayed by Kiana Madeira, signaling how far the once-brilliant child prodigy has come — and how complicated his life has become.
Behind the scenes, the revival keeps strong ties to the original series. Creator Linwood Boomer returns as writer and executive producer, while Ken Kwapis directs all four episodes and also serves as an executive producer. The reboot is produced by Disney Television Studios and New Regency.
All seven seasons of the original Malcolm in the Middle are currently streaming on Hulu, where longtime fans and new viewers alike can revisit the show that was once hailed by critics as one of television’s sharpest and most original comedies.
