Dewey actor from Malcolm in the Middle seen for the first time in 18 years

Erik Per Sullivan, the actor who brought to life the beloved character of Dewey in Malcolm in the Middle, has been spotted in public for the first time in 18 years in the wake of news that his character would be recast in an upcoming Disney+ revival.

Sullivan, who is now 33 years old, was only seven when he first appeared on TV as part of the chaotic Wilkerson family, which was rounded out by co-stars Frankie Muniz, Justin Berfield, Christopher Masterson, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek.

The series ran for six years and it followed the boys growing up and the family expanding, before it finally came to an end in 2006.

In the years after the show came to an end, Sullivan has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

After not being photographed in public since 2007, he got his last acting credit in the 2010 crime-drama Twelve when he was just 18.

However, as Muniz continues to tease fans about the upcoming revival of the series on Disney+, the one-time youngest Wilkerson has now been spotted in Boston.

Sullivan starred as Dewey in the series (Fox Television)

Sullivan was caught on camera by paparazzi as he grabbed a coffee on March 26, with the snap showing him looking very different from when fans last saw him on TV. The child actor now has hair much darker than fans were used to seeing him with in the show - not to mention the fact he's now a fully grown adult.

Sullivan is now a graduate student studying Victorian Literature, and he's chosen not to return for the new series of Malcolm in the Middle despite the rest of his on-screen family confirming that they will be back.

Cranston and Kaczmarek are set to reprise their roles as parents Hal and Lois, while Masterson will be back as the eldest son, Francis, along with Berfield as Reese, and Muniz of course taking on the role of Malcolm.

Sullivan will not be returning for the revival of the series (The US Sun / News Licensing)

Rather than leaving Dewey out of the series altogether, the character will be recast to ensure the whole family can be together.

Kaczmarek previously spoke about Sullivan's decision to step out of the spotlight, telling fan site Malcolm France that the former actor is 'very, very well' but just isn't acting anymore.

"He did Malcolm for seven years, he started at seven, he ended at 14," she said. "He wasn't interested in acting, at all."

Kaczmarek added that she 'admire[s]' Sullivan stepping away from the industry to chase his own dreams 'because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world'.

"It's not for everyone," she added.

Sullivan's last acting credit came in 2010, when he appeared in the action thriller Twelve.