Malcolm in the Middle: Do you remember this iconic episode where the boys became girls?

When Lois dreams of an alternative reality

It is impossible to forget the permanent chaos reigning in Hal and Lois's household. During the fourth season of Malcolm in the Middle, while pregnant with her fifth child, the character played by Jane Kaczmarek dreams of a radical change. Exhausted by her sons' antics, she imagines herself as the mother of polite and well-behaved daughters.

First broadcast in February 2003 in the United States, the episode titled If Boys Were Girls plunges viewers into a fascinating parallel universe. In this daydream, Malcolm turns into Mallory, played by Lisa Foiles. Reese transforms into Renée, portrayed by Mimi Paley, and young Dewey becomes Daisy.

An unexpected cameo and a surprising origin

Sharp-eyed fans will instantly recognize a familiar face playing Daisy: Jennette McCurdy, long before her days starring in iCarly. Even the eldest brother, Francis, gets his own female counterpart named Frances, humorously played by Christopher Masterson wearing a blonde wig.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this episode is its true origin. The idea didn't come from a seasoned Hollywood writer, but from an 11-year-old girl named Alexandra Kaczenski. After pitching the concept, showrunner Linwood Boomer decided to turn it into reality, giving her story credit alongside writer Nahnatchka Khan.

To dive back into this madness, all seven seasons of the show are available for streaming on Disney+.