Justin Berfield, who played Reese on Malcolm in the Middle, says former co-star Erik Per Sullivan is “really happy” and living a life away from Hollywood as the show’s much-anticipated reboot prepares to premiere. The four-part miniseries Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair lands on April 10 via Disney and Hulu, marking 20 years since the original series finale.
Berfield made the remarks during an appearance on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, recounting that he and Sullivan exchanged emails after the birth of Berfield’s daughter and that Sullivan’s parents had also reached out. “He was checking in,” Berfield said. “He’s happy. He’s a good guy. He’s like, really happy though.” The actor added the two do not speak frequently but that Sullivan is clearly content with the life he has chosen.
Sullivan, 34, who is best known for playing Dewey, last has an acting credit from 2010’s teen crime drama Twelve and has largely stepped away from the public eye. Multiple former cast members have offered glimpses of his current pursuits: Jane Kaczmarek, who played Lois, told PEOPLE that Sullivan is studying for a master’s degree in Victorian literature, while Bryan Cranston said in Entertainment Weekly that he was “really smart” and studying at Harvard. Those comments, though not identical, underline a shift from child actor to student and private life.
Erik Per Sullivan was invited to participate in the reboot but declined, according to Berfield. “I know they asked him to be a part of the show, and he was just like, ‘No, I’m done. I’m done with that part of my life,’” Berfield said, adding that Sullivan was nonetheless supportive when told the project was moving forward. Cranston similarly recalled telling Sullivan about the revival and being told, “Oh, no, no, I don’t want to do it. But it’s fantastic.”
Sullivan will be the only principal original cast member absent from the reboot; producers recast Dewey with Caleb Ellsworth-Clark. The limited series will reunite many familiar faces, with Frankie Muniz returning as Malcolm and Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek and Christopher Masterson also reprising their roles. The plot reportedly catches up with Malcolm as he prepares to celebrate his parents’ 40th wedding anniversary.
As fans ready themselves for the April 10 debut, the renewed interest in the cast has prompted fresh updates on where the former child stars have ended up. Berfield’s comments offer the clearest recent confirmation that Sullivan, who chose to step away from acting more than a decade ago, appears to have found fulfilment in academia and a private life outside the spotlight.