“Malcolm in the Middle” Revival Ordered at Disney+: Original Cast Returns for 4-Episode Limited Series

Disney+ Announces “Malcolm in the Middle” Revival with Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek Reprising Roles

In a move that has fans of the beloved sitcom rejoicing, Disney+ has officially greenlit a revival of Malcolm in the Middle, one of the most iconic family comedies of the early 2000s. The new limited series will see the return of original stars Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek, along with creator Linwood Boomer at the helm as writer and executive producer.

Key Details of the Revival:

• Four New Episodes: Disney Branded Television has ordered four episodes of the revival.
• Premiere Date: A specific premiere date has not been announced yet.
• Plot: The new episodes will follow Malcolm (Muniz) and his daughter as they are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.
• Creative Team: In addition to Boomer, Bryan Cranston, Tracy Katsky of KatCo, Gail Berman, and New Regency’s Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, and Natalie Lehmann will serve as executive producers. Ken Kwapis will direct all four episodes and also executive produce, while Jimmy Simons and Laura Delahaye are co-executive producers.

Industry Reaction:

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, praised the show’s enduring legacy:
“Malcolm in the Middle is a landmark sitcom that captured the essence of family life with humor, heart, and relatability. 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.”

Karey Burke, president of 20th Television, echoed the sentiment:
“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. 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.”

Legacy of Malcolm in the Middle:

Originally airing on Fox from 2000 to 2006, Malcolm in the Middle ran for seven seasons and 151 episodes. The show was a cultural phenomenon, helping to popularize single-camera comedies and earning 33 Emmy nominations, with seven wins. Notably, Cloris Leachman won two Emmys for Best Guest Actress in a Comedy, while the show also took home awards for Best Directing and Best Writing for a Comedy Series.

The entire original series is currently available to stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.

Representation:

• Frankie Muniz is represented by Established Artists and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
• Bryan Cranston is represented by UTA and Johnson Shapiro.
• Jane Kaczmarek is represented by Paradigm Talent Agency.

Trend of 2000s Reboots:

This revival marks the third major 2000s-era series to receive reboot or revival news in recent weeks. Earlier reports confirmed that a Scrubs reboot is in development at ABC from series creator Bill Lawrence, while a Prison Break reboot from Elgin James has received a pilot order at Hulu.