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Two decades have passed since “Malcolm in the Middle” first entertained viewers with its delightfully chaotic family every Sunday evening. Now, fans can rejoice as the beloved series makes a comeback on Hulu with the miniseries “Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair.” This eagerly awaited revival sees the return of the original cast, including Frankie Muniz reprising his titular role, alongside Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek as his on-screen parents. Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield also return as Malcolm’s elder siblings, Francis and Reese. However, the character of Dewey has been recast for this new series.
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Previously portrayed by Erik Per Sullivan, Dewey, the quirky younger brother, is now played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark. Since 2013, Ellsworth-Clark has built a diverse portfolio with appearances in acclaimed projects like “Fargo,” “Spiral,” “The Silencing,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “The Thicket.” Although his roles in these productions have primarily been minor, such as Drunk Jim, Bike Courier, Taller Brother, and Guardian #1, this new opportunity allows him to shine.
Though Dewey isn’t the main protagonist in “Malcolm in the Middle,” the character is layered and offers Ellsworth-Clark a substantial role to explore. “Life’s Still Unfair” gives him a chance to portray Dewey as an adult, dealing with the lingering effects of a tumultuous upbringing marked by parental neglect and sibling rivalry. The question remains whether Dewey has managed to break free from the family’s dysfunction or if he is trapped in the same patterns.
Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, a Calgary native, comes from a family passionate about theater. He honed his craft at Mount Royal University, participating in various stage productions, including “Body Awareness.” Landing the role of Dewey marks a significant milestone in his career, offering him a challenge unlike any he has tackled before. He was selected for the role after a competitive casting process, emerging as the top choice among many contenders.
An ardent fan of the original “Malcolm in the Middle,” Ellsworth-Clark is excited to join this ensemble cast and share the screen with actors like Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston. Cranston, in particular, has been instrumental in reviving the series. Despite the excitement, Ellsworth-Clark admits to feeling a bit anxious as he steps into this well-established circle of actors and a dedicated fan base.
How did Caleb Ellsworth-Clark land the role of Dewey?
Hailing from Calgary, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark is no stranger to acting, having grown up in a theater-loving household. He even studied theater at Mount Royal University and appeared in a number of plays, including “Body Awareness.” But Dewey — his biggest role to date — is unlike anything he’s done before. The opportunity came about through a casting call, with Ellsworth-Clark the top pick amongst a room full of Dewey hopefuls.
A fan of the original “Malcolm in the Middle” series, he’s thrilled to become part of this comedically dysfunctional universe and act alongside the likes of Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston, the latter of whom has been working toward a reboot for several years. However, there are naturally some nerves as he enters this established group of actors… and fans.
“I know that Dewey is a lot of people’s favorite character and the way that character was portrayed by Erik Per Sullivan,” he said in an interview with Calgary Herald. “I don’t want to disappoint anyone just by not being that guy. But at the same time, I want to be here and I’m grateful for the opportunity, and maybe it’s okay that Dewey is a little different.”
Why Dewey was recast
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After “Malcolm in the Middle” ended in 2006, the career of original Dewey actor Erik Per Sullivan didn’t last very long. Following appearances in a handful of lesser-known projects and Joel Schumacher’s poorly-received crime thriller “Twelve,” which has a measly 3% score on the Tomatometer, Sullivan completely stepped away from acting. In fact, it wasn’t until April 2025 — when a smiling Sullivan was photographed in Boston going to grab a coffee — that he was recognized publicly for the first time in 18 years.
In 2024, his on-screen mother Jane Kaczmarek said in an interview with Malcolm France, “He started at 7, he ended at 14. He wasn’t interested in acting at all. He goes to school at a very prestigious American university that he’s asked us all to be quiet about. And he loves Charles Dickens. He’s doing graduate work in Victorian literature. I admire it because so many people think being in show business is just the greatest thing in the world. It’s not for everybody.”
Though he was invited to step back into Dewey’s shoes for “Life’s Still Unfair,” he declined, preferring to hold fast to the quiet and peaceful existence he built for himself. But there’s no hard feelings — his former cast members respect his decision, and he’s all for having someone else portray Dewey. Frankie Muniz told New York Post, “We had his blessing from day one to have the role be in the show and recast it. So I hope people aren’t too upset that he didn’t come back, but it was by his choice.”