A Malcolm in the Middle star is speaking out to protect a former co-star from unwanted media attention. Justin Berfield, who played Reese, recently addressed the paparazzi's pursuit of Erik Per Sullivan following his decision to decline a role in the upcoming revival.

Justin Berfield Defends Erik Per Sullivan

During an episode of the Howie Does Stuff podcast that debuted on April 28, Berfield expressed his discomfort with the media attention surrounding Sullivan. The actor noted that Sullivan has no intention of returning for the upcoming series, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair.

“He’s a good guy, and I love Erik,” Berfield told host Howie Mandel. “I actually feel bad because he wants to stay out of the business and I’ve been seeing paparazzi shots of him. And I’m like, just leave Erik alone. He didn’t want to come back to the show. No hard feelings.”

As a Malcolm in the Middle star who returned to reprise his role, Berfield confirmed that Sullivan was not pressured into his decision. He noted that the producers approached the actor multiple times with no success.

  • Sullivan was asked to return roughly four or five times.
  • Every single request resulted in a "No."

Why This Malcolm in the Middle Star's Co-Star Declined the Role

The decision by this Malcolm in the Middle star's former co-star to skip the reboot has been a topic of conversation for some time. Show matriarch Jane Kaczmarek recently revealed that Sullivan was offered “buckets of money” to return to the franchise.

However, Sullivan chose his education over Hollywood. Kaczmarek noted he is currently "studying Dickens and is an incredible student." This aligns with reports that Sullivan was pursuing a Master's degree at Harvard University.

Details on the Malcolm in the Middle Revival

While Sullivan has stayed away from the screen, the new series is officially underway. Caleb Ellsworth-Clark has stepped into the role of Dewey for the new iteration.

  • Series Title: Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair
  • Announcement Date: June 2025
  • Premiere Date: April 10
  • Streaming Platform: Disney+