Release Date, Cast, Plot and Everything We Know So Far

Malcolm in the Middle was one of the more irreverent and unique sitcoms of the early 2000s. Airing on the Fox network along with popular animated series The Simpsons and King of the Hill, Malcolm in the Middle might have been live-action, but the characters and situations were just as animated and outrageous as those of its cartoon contemporaries.

A gifted adolescent, Malcolm (Frankie Muniz), navigates the trials and tribulations of school and family life that are far from ordinary. Malcolm’s ordeals were relatable to any audience member, and the character continually broke the fourth wall to communicate his thoughts to those watching. Malcolm in the Middle has a special place in the hearts of those who grew up watching the series, and it was recently announced that a reboot was in the works by the show’s creator, Linwood Boomer.

Who Is Returning for the New Series?

Some of the most successful sitcoms of the modern era featured depictions of unconventional families. Roseanne and Married With Children are two examples that come to mind, as they were the complete opposite of the typical nuclear family from sitcoms of previous years. Malcolm in the Middle was no different and featured a colorful cast, many of whom will be returning for the upcoming reboot on Disney+.

Naturally, Frankie Muniz will be reprising his role as the titular character, as will most of the cast who portrayed Malcolm’s off-beat family. Bryan Cranston, who’s had a career renaissance since appearing in Breaking Bad, will be returning as Malcolm’s eccentric father, Hal. Jane Kaczmarek will also be returning as Lois, the no-nonsense matriarch of the family who maintained order in the household.

Most of the actors who portrayed Malcolm’s brothers will also return. Christopher Masterson, who played the family’s oldest child, Francis, who spent much of the first few seasons away at military school, will return alongside Justin Berfield, who is playing Reese. The only notable recasting from the original series will be the youngest of Malcolm’s brothers, Dewey, played on the original show by Erik Per Sullivan, replaced by actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.

Related

‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Reboot Recasts Iconic Character as Two Original Stars Return

Find out who is taking over the beloved role in ‘Malcolm in the Middle.’

What’s the Plot of the Reboot?

And How Many Episodes Will There Be?

Fans who remember watching Malcolm in the Middle will agree on one thing — the show was unpredictable from episode to episode. A large part of the appeal was how spontaneous and varied the storylines between each episode would be and how, for lack of a better term, a simple premise could quickly go off the rails with any member of the household. For a sitcom known for its spontaneity and unpredictable nature, the premise for the reboot opens up a world of possibilities. The official synopsis that’s been made available reads as follows: “Malcolm and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal and Lois demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.” The number of scenarios that can occur seems to be endless.

Although the details have been minimal, we do know that Disney+ has ordered four episodes to be made, and it’s less of an actual reboot than a continuation of the characters several years later. We also know that in this continuation of the fondly remembered off-beat family, Malcolm now has one of his very own, consisting of girlfriend Tristan (Kiana Madeira) and daughter Leah (Keeley Karsten). Malcolm was relatable to many adolescents during the show’s original run. Now that those same audience members have grown up to have children of their own, it will be interesting to see how a continuation will recapture the magic of the original by being relatable to the same audience who grew up with it.

Related

Where the Malcolm in the Middle Cast Is Today

The beloved American sitcom about a dysfunctional family is 23 years old. Here’s where the Malcolm in the Middle cast is today.

Where To Watch the Original ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ and the Upcoming Reboot

It’s been over two decades since one of the most beloved off-beat families opened their doors to us, and we had the joy of rooting for the ultimate underdog and everyone’s favorite middle child, Malcolm. The release date for the reboot of Malcolm in the Middle has yet to be announced, but it will be streaming on Disney+. For those who are looking to catch up on the original series for fun or nostalgia, episodes are currently on Hulu and Disney+ to enjoy.