Malcolm in the Middle is returning just in time to celebrate 25 years since its original debut on Fox.
The hit show is set to return with a limited four-episode run on Disney+, featuring the original stars Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek, who will reprise their iconic roles as Malcolm, Hal, and Lois. The trio hinted at the revival in a teaser video, which you can watch below.
Returning to the project are series creator Linwood Boomer, who will contribute as a writer, and director Ken Kwapis, who will helm all four episodes. Production is being handled by 20th Television and New Regency, the same partnership responsible for the original series through Regency Television.
Muniz, Cranston, and Kaczmarek will once again take center stage, joined by other familiar faces from the original cast. According to Deadline, the storyline places Malcolm and his daughter back into the thick of family chaos when Hal and Lois insist on his attendance at their 40th wedding anniversary celebration.
The revival’s plotline also reveals that Malcolm now has a daughter, while casting efforts are underway for the role of his wife. It’s speculated that all of Malcolm’s siblings might return for the occasion, though it’s unlikely Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey, will join. Having stepped away from acting in 2010, Sullivan has not participated in any of the show’s reunions.
Although Muniz has shifted gears into professional car racing, he continues to dabble in acting and has been an enthusiastic advocate for a Malcolm in the Middle reunion. Similarly, Cranston has remained vocal about reviving the series.
The new episodes will be executive-produced by Cranston and Kwapis, along with Linwood Boomer and Tracy Katsky of KatCo. Gail Berman, who oversaw the original series, and New Regency’s Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, and Natalie Lehmann are also onboard as executive producers, with Jimmy Simons and Laura Delahaye serving as co-executive producers.
“‘Malcolm in the Middle’ is a landmark sitcom that captured the essence of family life with humor, heart, and relatability,” said Ayo Davis, President of Disney Branded Television. “Its hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of a lovably chaotic family resonated with audiences of all ages, and we’re so excited to welcome the original cast back to bring that magic to life again. With Linwood Boomer and the creative team at the helm, these new episodes will have all the laughs, pranks, and mayhem fans loved — along with a few surprises that remind us why this show is so timeless.”
The original Malcolm in the Middle broke ground as one of the first single-camera comedies on network television, paving the way for shows like Arrested Development, The Office, and Modern Family. Fox took a bold chance on the format, which proved successful when the series premiered in January 2000 to an audience of 23 million, climbing to 26 million in its second week.
Critics celebrated the show’s innovative style, with the series winning Emmy Awards for comedy writing and directing in its first two seasons. Over its seven-season run, it earned seven Emmys, a Peabody Award, and even a Grammy.
All 151 episodes of the original series are currently streaming on Hulu, and it remains unclear whether Disney+ will offer those seasons independently when the revival debuts. The limited series is being produced by 20th Television, a subsidiary of Disney Television Studios, in collaboration with New Regency.
“‘Malcolm in the Middle’ literally changed the face of the television comedy landscape when it premiered two decades ago, redefining what the genre could be,” remarked Karey Burke, President of 20th Television. “When Linwood Boomer suggested it might be time to bring everyone’s favorite dysfunctional family back for a bit of a reunion, we couldn’t think of a more iconic and influential series to revisit, along with a truly brilliant cast to reunite.”
The Malcolm in the Middle revival joins a growing trend of reboots and sequels, with 20th Television also working on a Scrubs sequel for ABC and a new installment of Prison Break for Hulu.