Revival of "Malcolm in the middle of it all": original stars return

The cult sitcom from the 2000s, "Malcolm in the Middle", is returning to our screens. And it won't be just any remake, but a revival as a proper mini-series on Disney+. The series, which originally aired from 2000 to 2006, tells the story of the highly gifted boy Malcolm and his chaotic family. With its humour and unforgettable characters, it has secured a permanent place in pop culture. The series also knew how to incorporate pop culture events into the plot and present them in a scenic way.

The return: what to expect

For the new four-part miniseries on Disney+, original stars Frankie Muniz as Malcolm and Jane Kaczmarek and Bryan Cranston as his parents Hal and Lois will return to their original roles, as they themselves announced in short videos on X.

What the other stars of the series will look like is not yet known. These include Christopher Masterson as Malcolm's eldest brother Francis, Justin Berfield as his other older brother Reese and Erik Per Sullivan as little brother Dewey. Sullivan in particular has completely retired from acting and no longer takes part in fan meetings for the series. A reunion here would be surprising. From a fan perspective, however, I would be very pleased.

According to industry magazine Variety, the plot will pick up several years after the end of the original series and show how the characters have evolved. It focuses on a chaotic family reunion in honour of Hal and Lois' 40th wedding anniversary. Malcolm is now the father of his own daughter and is invited to this day of honour. His parents formally insist that he attend.

The miniseries will be produced by the original producers, suggesting that the spirit of the original series will be preserved. Linwood Boomer will once again serve as executive producer and will also write some episodes. Ken Kwapis will direct all episodes. Filming is scheduled to begin early next year, but an exact start date is not yet known.

A look back: the original series

"Malcolm in the Middle" was created by Linwood Boomer and was known for its storytelling, including the frequent breaking of the fourth wall, where Malcolm spoke directly to the audience. The series won numerous awards, including seven Emmy Awards, and was praised for its portrayal of family life and humorous take on everyday issues. A personal highlight was always the brilliant intro song. Can't remember it? I'll be happy to remedy that.

The original series is also currently running on Disney+.