Caleb Ellsworth-Clark Shares His Experience Stepping into Dewey’s Role in the ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Revival
In the revival of Malcolm in the Middle, actor Erik Per Sullivan has returned as Dewey, but his successor, Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, feels a sense of responsibility to honor the legacy of the character and the show’s loyal fanbase.
The complete series, titled Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, is now streaming on Hulu. During a recent discussion about the revival, Ellsworth-Clark expressed his determination to fulfill fan expectations. He stated, “I didn’t want to f*ck that up” regarding his portrayal of Dewey.
Reflecting on his connection to the original series, Ellsworth-Clark shared, “I grew up watching the show. I know that Dewey was a fan favorite, but he was also a personal favorite. And I think I was aware that maybe people might be disappointed Erik wasn’t gonna come back and do the show. I guess I didn’t want to f*ck that up.”
Ellsworth-Clark joined the revival’s cast in March, joining original stars Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Masterson, and Justin Berfield. New faces Anthony Timpano, Vaughan Murrae, and Keeley Karsten also contribute to the ensemble.
“They were so warm and welcoming,” Ellsworth-Clark noted about his co-stars. “I was really scared to show up, but they all took such great care of me and made me feel like I belong. So I am really grateful to all of them.”
Justin Berfield, Erik Per Sullivan, Christopher Masterson and Frankie Muniz in ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ (20th Century Fox Film Corp.)
Though Per Sullivan received “buckets of money” to reprise his role, Bryan Cranston revealed that the former child actor opted out, saying, “he just said, ‘No thank you’” as he pursues studies of Dickens.
In Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, Muniz returns as Malcolm, now a father himself. As his parents Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) summon him for their anniversary celebration, Malcolm grapples with the complexities of his dysfunctional family while trying to shield his daughter Leah (Karsten) from the chaos.
