Malcolm In The Middle: Every Lead Character Ranked From Worst To Best

Reese was virtually unrecognisable at the beginning and end of the show. He started out as the typical bully older brother, and was a rude, obnoxious and violent character. Yet, it was hard not to feel drawn to him thanks to his amusing naivety, character development and solid performance from Justin Berfield.

Unlike Dewey, Reese's dramatic evolution felt genuinely organic, as viewers were shown a softer side to him, which didn't contradict the aggressive and violent aspects they already knew. Reese's blissful ignorance made him so likeable, which only made his previous seasons as the violent older brother even more compelling.

One of the best additions to the character was his discovery of cooking. There was a time when it seemed Reese would never find something he was truly passionate about, but his love of making good food was a lovely addition to prove that no matter how much you struggle, there is something out there for you.

Everyone who has an older brother could understand Reese's character, and even without such experience, it was easy to relate to him, despite how over-the-top he was.