“Malcolm In The Middle” returns with its original cast and new episodes on Disney+

One of the most influential comedy series of the new millennium, Malcolm in the Middleis finally returning to the screen, just in time for the 25th anniversary of its release on Fox. The family comedy will return for a limited four-episode run on Disney+ with original cast members Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek on board to reprise their roles as Malcolm and his parents Hal and Lois, respectively.

Also returning is the creator of Malcolm In the Middle, Linwood Boomerwho will write the new episodes, and production director Ken Kwapis, who will direct all four. 20th Television and New Regency, whose joint venture Regency Television (through Fox TV Studios and Regency Enterprises) was behind the original series, are producing for Disney Branded Entertainment.

What will the return of Malcolm In The Middle be like?

Muniz, Cranston and Kaczmarek are expected to be joined by other cast members from the original series Malcolm in the Middle, in which young genius Malcolm (Munitz) tried to adjust to life with his quirky and often difficult family. The trio will be the focus of the new episodes, in which Malcolm (Munitz) and his daughter find themselves embroiled in family chaos when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) demand their presence for their 40th anniversary party. wedding.

As the reissue summary reveals, Malcolm has a daughter, and probes have been sent out to find an actress to play his wife, I understand.

Considering the occasion, Hal and Lois’s wedding anniversary, it would make sense for all of their children to be present. Although it is likely that Christopher Masterson and Justin Berfieldwho played his two oldest sons, Francis and Reese, respectively, in the original film, will be contacted to reprise their roles, it is unlikely that Erik Per Sullivanwho played the younger brother, Dewey, returns. He stopped acting in 2010 and has not participated in any of the Malcolm In the Middle reunions.

Munitz has also changed careers to become a full-time racing driver, but has kept one foot in Hollywood with occasional acting jobs. Along with Cranston, he has also been the most vocal in his desire to get the group back together for a revival of Malcolm.

Cranston executive produces the new episodes alongside Boomer, his wife, television comedy producer Tracy Katsky through her KatCo, Kwapis, Gail Berman, who developed and sold the original series as president of Regency TV, and Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Natalie Lehmann of New Regency. Jimmy Simons and Laura Delahaye are co-executive producers.

The influence of “Malcolm” on comedies in recent years

Malcolm in the Middle ushered in the era of single-camera sitcoms on broadcast television, paving the way for shows like Arrested Development, The Office, 30 Rock and Modern Family. Fox took a big risk with a format that was unproven at the time, and it paid off: Malcolm gave the network its largest premiere audience since The Simpsonswith some 23 million viewers tuning in for its debut in January 2000. The number increased to 26 million in week 2.

The show’s aesthetic and style were also well received by critics, and Malcolm won two consecutive Emmy Awards for comedy writing and directing in its first two seasons, including the pilot, written by Boomer and directed by Todd Holland. Over the course of its seven seasons, the series received a total of seven Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a Grammy.