Erik Per Sullivan Declines 'Malcolm in the Middle' Reboot to Pursue Master's Degree Erik Per Sullivan, the actor who portrayed Dewey in the 2000s sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, has chosen not to return for the show’s reboot, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, to focus on his academic pursuits. The decision was revealed during a discussion with Complex’s Mami Tiff, where the actor shared his choice to prioritize higher education over the revival. The reboot, which stars Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek in their original roles, has seen several cast members return, including Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield. However, Sullivan, now 34, opted out of the project despite being offered a significant financial incentive. Cranston, who recounted reaching out to Sullivan about the reboot, noted that the actor had already transitioned from acting to academia. “He was a child actor and then he stopped acting and got into academia,” Cranston explained. “And that’s where his love is. His passion and love is in studies.” Kaczmarek, who has praised Sullivan’s dedication, described him as “the favorite American right now” for his self-awareness and academic focus. She highlighted his current studies in Victorian literature, specifically Charles Dickens, and emphasized his happiness with his chosen path. “For a young person to think, ‘I know exactly what I want to do…’ He’s studying Dickens and Victorian literature,” she said. “And he loves it. He’s happy. He’s realized his potential.” In a previous interview with The Guardian, Kaczmarek had already noted Sullivan’s academic drive, stating he was offered “buckets of money” to return to the show but declined.#bryan_cranston #malcolm_in_the_middle #frankie_muniz #jane_kaczmarek #erik_per_sullivan
