Frankie Muniz shares first look at Malcolm in the Middle reboot as key cast member is replaced

Frankie Muniz has shared a first look at the Malcolm in the Middle reboot following news a key cast member will not be returning for the upcoming release.

Currently scheduled to hit our screens in December 2025, the new Malcolm in the Middle episodes will see a grown-up Malcolm and his siblings get together for the 40th wedding anniversary party of parents Hal and Lois.

It was quickly confirmed that Muniz would be returning in the iconic rule, which Disney+ have announced will come in the form of a four-episode reboot.

Earlier this year, Muniz confirmed shooting for the reboot had concluded, as the wait for fans edges ever closer.

"Just wrapped filming the Malcolm in the Middle reboot, and man, I’m still reeling," he wrote on X.

"This experience was straight-up incredible - like stepping back into Malcolm’s wild world but with all the love and chaos cranked to 11."

Muniz continued: "It went by so fast, like a blur of perfect moments. I wish it could go on forever.

"I'm so happy to have gotten the chance to relive being on this show with a greater appreciation of what we were making knowing how many people around the world truly love Malcolm and his family."

Muniz shared a sneak peak of the Malcolm in the Middle set earlier this week, after posting a photo of himself alongside Justin Berfield and Christopher Masterson.

The actor penned: "I was told not to post this yet, but then I listened to this song. I'm just too excited for y'all to see the new episodes and I miss my brothers."

While Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston is returning as dad Hal, Muniz set to star once again as Malcolm, Justin Berfield as Reese, and Jane Kaczmarek as mom Lois, one actor who is not returning for the reboot is Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey.

For the reboot, the fan favorite character will be played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, with Sullivan apparently turning down the role.

Cranston explained on Dana Carvey and David Spade's Fly on the Wall podcast about the reasoning.

"I talked to Erik and I said, ‘hey, we got the show! It’s going to come back'. He goes, ‘oh, that’s fantastic!', and I go, ‘yeah, so we’re looking forward to having you back'. He goes, ‘oh, no, no, I don’t want to do it. But it’s fantastic'," Cranston said.

"He's actually going to Harvard."

Spade then suggested that Sullivan is 'a normal person now', to which Cranston replied: "Well, I don't think - he's not normal, because he's really - not in my circle normal - he's really, really smart and he's getting, I think he's getting his masters at Harvard right now.

"He said 'oh, God no, I haven't acted since I was nine or something, so I'm not into it'."