Life isn’t as unfair as it seems. A Malcolm in the Middle revival has officially been ordered at Disney+. This new version of the beloved sitcom comes from original creator Linwood Boomer, with the return of original stars Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, and Jane Kaczmarek reprising their roles.
Disney Branded Television has greenlit four new episodes of the classic series, though a premiere date has not yet been announced.
According to the official logline, “Malcolm (Muniz) and his daughter are drawn into the family’s chaos when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary party.”
Ayo Davis, President of Disney Branded Television, shared her excitement about the return: “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.”
Originally airing on Fox for seven seasons and 151 episodes from 2000 to 2006, Malcolm in the Middle garnered immense popularity and helped popularize single-camera comedies on network television.
The series earned 33 Emmy nominations during its run and secured seven wins. Notable awards included two for Cloris Leachman as best guest actress in a comedy and two each for best directing and best writing for a comedy series. The full series is currently available for streaming on Hulu and on Hulu through the Disney+ bundle.
Malcolm in the Middle Sitcom
Karey Burke, President of 20th Television, praised the series’ lasting impact: “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.”
Behind the Scenes
Linwood Boomer will return as both writer and executive producer for this limited series revival. Other executive producers include Tracy Katsky of KatCo, Gail Berman, and Arnon Milchan and Yariv Milchan of New Regency, along with Natalie Lehmann.
Ken Kwapis will direct all four episodes while also serving as an executive producer. Jimmy Simons and Laura Delahaye will serve as co-executive producers. Malcolm in the Middle is being produced by 20th Television and New Regency.
Frankie Muniz is represented by Established Artists and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Bryan Cranston is represented by UTA and Johnson Shapiro, while Jane Kaczmarek is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency.
A Trend of Reboots
This announcement follows a growing trend of reboots and revivals for series from the early 2000s. Just this past week, it was reported that a Scrubs reboot is in development at ABC, with series creator Bill Lawrence leading the effort. Additionally, a Prison Break reboot from Elgin James has secured a pilot order at Hulu.
