Malcolm in the Middle's brother recast for revival

Popular US sitcom Malcolm in the Middle is set to return for a four-episode special on Disney+ - but with one notable difference.

Erik Per Sullivan, who played Malcolm's younger brother Dewey, will not return because he is no longer an actor.

The much-loved character will now be played by Fargo actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark instead, according to US publication Variety.

Frankie Muniz will reprise the titular role, alongside his on-screen parents, Lois and Hal, played by Jane Kaczmarek and Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston.

'Wasn't interested in acting'

Speaking to fan site Malcolm France about Sullivan last year, his former co-star and on-screen mum Kaczmarek confirmed he is "very, very well".

"He did Malcolm for seven years, he started at seven, he ended at 14," she said.

"He wasn't interested in acting, at all."

Kaczmarek added that Sullivan, now 33, had gone to "a very prestigious American university", where he studies Victorian literature including Charles Dickens.

"I admire it because so many people think being in show business is the greatest thing in the world. It's not for everyone."

The Emmy Award-winning Fox TV show premiered in 2000 and ended in 2006, after seven seasons.

The single-camera comedy series followed the dysfunctional working-class family of child prodigy Malcolm, who was often seen making asides to the camera to comment on their failures.

The musically-gifted Dewey often fell victim to his brothers' pranks and developed a high tolerance for pain, often scheming to get one up on his brothers and parents.

Due to a misunderstanding at school, Dewey was placed in a class well below his intelligence and, as a result, served as their self-appointed teacher.

After the birth of their youngest brother Jamie, Dewey became the first to break the cycle of tormenting the baby of the family.

The sitcom, often listed as a modern classic of the genre, is set to begin production once more in Vancouver, Canada, in the coming weeks.

Malcolm now has a teenage daughter - portrayed by Keeley Karsten - and the synopsis for episode one says the pair will get "drawn into the family's chaos when Hal and Lois demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party".

Christopher Masterson, who played Malcolm's oldest brother Francis, and Justin Berfield, who played Reese, will also both return for the reboot, according to Variety, while Kiana Madeira will join the show afresh as the eponymous star's girlfriend.

Also, Riverdale actor Anthony Timpano will play Jamie, and Vaughan Murrae will feature as his youngest sibling, Kelly.