Frankie Muniz has reunited with Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek to begin work on a limited Malcolm in the Middle series for Disney+. The new project is being developed nearly two decades after the original sitcom ended its seven-season run on Fox.
Muniz posted a production photo on Instagram showing himself standing between Cranston and Kaczmarek, writing, “Always good to have Mom and Dad around.” The timing of the image coincides with the 25th anniversary of the show’s debut in 2000.
Disney+ is producing a four-episode series that features the return of original creator Linwood Boomer as writer and executive producer. Ken Kwapis will direct all episodes and also serve as an executive producer. Other executive producers include Cranston, Tracy Katsky, Gail Berman, and New Regency’s Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, and Natalie Lehmann. Jimmy Simons and Laura Delahaye are co-executive producers.
The storyline follows Malcolm and his daughter Leah, played by Keeley Karsten, as they respond to an invitation from Hal and Lois for their 40th wedding anniversary. Muniz, Cranston, and Kaczmarek reprise their roles from the original series. Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfield also return as Malcolm’s older brothers, Francis and Reese.
One key role has been recast. Dewey, Malcolm’s younger brother, was played in the original series by Erik Per Sullivan, who left acting in 2010. Caleb Ellsworth-Clark will take over the role. Additional cast members include Anthony Timpano as Jamie, the youngest brother who appeared late in the show’s run, and Vaughan Murrae as Kelly, a younger sister hinted at during the final episode of the original series.
Two new characters are also being introduced: Kiana Madeira plays Tristan, Malcolm’s girlfriend, and Karsten joins the cast as Malcolm’s daughter.
Muniz is currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Truck Series with Reaume Brothers Racing and is filming the series on a modified schedule. In an interview earlier this year, he explained that the production is working around his racing commitments. He is scheduled to film from Sunday through Wednesday each week, with time off for travel and race participation on Fridays.
The limited series was approved late last year after multiple rounds of discussion. Muniz shared in January that filming was set to begin in April. He indicated that Disney was adjusting the production calendar around his racing obligations, which he described as a rare move for a studio.
Disney confirmed in March that the production would move forward with both original and new cast members, though no release date has been announced.
A day before Muniz shared the reunion photo with his co-stars, he posted a message on social media referencing a period of personal difficulty. “Mentally/emotionally I may be at a new low,” he wrote. “Just wanted to say it out loud.” He has not linked that statement to the reboot or his other commitments. The image posted the next day showed him smiling with Cranston and Kaczmarek.
The original Malcolm in the Middle ran from 2000 to 2006 and produced 151 episodes. The show, known for its single-camera setup and absence of a laugh track, depicted the chaotic life of a working-class family and earned attention for its format and performances. The character of Malcolm often addressed the audience directly, breaking the fourth wall. Cranston’s performance as Hal preceded his later work in drama, while Muniz became widely recognized for his role during the series’ run.
Production on the new series is currently underway. The team behind the project has indicated that it will retain the tone and structure of the original show, while introducing characters who reflect the passage of time and shifts in the family’s dynamic.
