After nearly half-a-decade, the Bluth family is coming back together…again. Back in 2013, one of Netflix’s first major moves into original programming resulted in a fourth season of the critically acclaimed Arrested Development seven years after it was canceled by Fox. Now, the fifth season is finally set to arrive five years later.
Variety was the first to report that Arrested Development season 5 is a go for 2018, with original cast members Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Jeffrey Tambor, Jessica Walter, Will Arnett, Tony Hale, Portia de Rossi, David Cross, and Alia Shawkat all slated to return. Considering that the entire cast has their own TV and movie projects outside of the revival series, getting them all back was not easy. One of the most criticisms about the fourth season was that the family members barely interacted with each, which was a result of the conflicting schedules of everyone involved. Hopefully the new season will be able to handle that issue without running into the same problems.
“In talks with Netflix we all felt that that stories about a narcissistic, erratically behaving family in the building business — and their desperate abuses of power — are really underrepresented on TV these days,” said series creator Mitch Hurwitz in a statement. “I am so grateful to them and to 20th TV for making this dream of mine come true in bringing the Bluths, George Sr., Lucille and the kids; Michael, Ivanka, Don Jr., Eric, George-Michael, and who am I forgetting, oh Tiffany. Did I say Tiffany? — back to the glorious stream of life.”
Also: ‘Arrested Development’ Season 4 Has Been Reedited Into a Full Season
Netflix’s Ted Sarandos added that “Arrested Development brings us structures, outerwear and choreography like no other comedy in history. Season 4 marked the first foray by Netflix into original comedy programming and this time, the Bluths will collectively be spending more quality time with their millions of fans around the world.” Ron Howard will also reprise his role as the narrator and executive produce the series alongside Hurwitz, Brian Grazer, Jim Vallely, and Richie Rosenstock.
A production start date wasn’t included in the announcement, but the fifth season will likely be filmed this year or in early 2018.
What do you think about the return of Arrested Development? Let us know in the comment section below!
