Berfield Urges Paparazzi to Leave Sullivan Alone

Justin Berfield, known for playing Reese on Malcolm in the Middle, urged paparazzi to leave his former costar Erik Per Sullivan alone after the sitcom's recent reboot drew renewed attention to the reclusive actor. Berfield made the plea during an appearance on the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast, expressing regret that Sullivan, who declined to reprise his role as Dewey, has faced unwanted media scrutiny.

The four-episode revival, titled Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair, premiered on Hulu on April 10. It reunites most of the original cast, including Frankie Muniz as Malcolm, Bryan Cranston as Hal, Jane Kaczmarek as Lois, Christopher Kennedy Masterson as Francis, and Berfield as Reese. Caleb Ellsworth-Clark stepped in as Dewey, the youngest sibling, marking Sullivan's absence from the ensemble that centers on Malcolm returning for his parents' 40th anniversary party.

Sullivan, now 34, retired from acting in 2010 after appearing in all seven seasons of the original Fox series, which aired from 2000 to 2006. Producers approached him multiple times about returning, according to Berfield. "I know they asked him like four or five times, and every time he was like, No,"...