'Malcolm' reboot star breaks silence on intense pressure of replacing fan favourite

Erik Per Sullivan played Dewey in Malcolm in the Middle. His character became fans' favourite. Now, Caleb Ellsworth replaced him in the sitcom's reboot.

In his words, he felt real pressure to deliver because the show's fans would be watching him closely.

The actor said he had been a fan of the show since childhood. “I grew up watching the show. I know that Dewey was a fan favourite, but he was also a personal favourite."

He continued, “And I think I was aware that maybe people might be disappointed Erik wasn’t going to come back and do the show. I guess I didn’t want to f*** that up.”

Despite the pressure, Ellsworth said his co-stars backed him the fullest. "They were so warm and welcoming."

“I was really scared to show up, but they all took such great care of me and made me feel like I belong. So I am really grateful to all of them.”

The series logline read, 'Malcolm lives in the suburbs with his parents and three brothers. After being identified as having a very high IQ, he's placed in a 'gifted' class at school."

"From there, Malcolm narrates the increasingly chaotic, offbeat events of his life as he navigates school drama, crushes, and, above all, his big, oddball family."

Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is streaming on Disney+.