Just like it did with its first original series acquisition, drama House Of Cards, Netflix has outbid an established pay cable network for the rights to new episodes of short-lived Arrested Development. Netflix and Showtime had both been pursuing the new installment of the Emmy-winning series, which will now be available to Netflix subscribers in early 2013. The exact number of episodes has not been determined, though at an Arrested Development panel discussion last month, where series creator Mitch Hurwitz broke the news of the series revival, he indicated that the idea is to do a limited 9-10 episode series, which would serve as a bridge between the original series and the long-gestating Arrested Development movie. The plan is for each episode to focus on a different member of the Bluth clan. Arrested Development producer 20th Century Fox TV has no deals with the cast, but all have expressed interest in reprising their roles. Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Michael Cera, Tony Hale, Jeffrey Tambor, David Cross, Alia Shawkat and Jessica Walter supported the idea at the panel last month. “Arrested Development… has stood the test of time,” 20thTV chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman said, noting that this is the third canceled series the studio had produced, along with Family Guy and Futurama, to come back. “Everyone, ourselves included, seems to feel like the Bluths left the party a bit too soon,” said Brian Grazer and Ron Howard of Imagine TV, which co-produced Arrested Development with 20th TV (Howard also narrates the show). “Bringing a series back from cancellation almost never happens, but then, Arrested always was about as unconventional as they get, so it seems totally appropriate that this show that broke the mold is smashing it to pieces once again.” At Netflix, Arrested Development joins 2 recently acquired original series, drama House Of Cards and comedy Orange Is The New Black.
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I’m going to count down the days for this!
FAMILY LOVE NETFLIX
They couldn’t have said it better. This really is a landmark deal for studios. The Internet is here and it’s here to stay.
That’s great! I hope this doesn’t mean they’ll never be released on actual DVDs, though…
Hell YES !!!
Now if they could only revive LOST…
THANKS NETFLIX! Seriously this is awesome.
“We also pride ourselves on breaking the rules at this studio, and after bringing back two canceled series – ‘Family Guy’ and ‘Futurama’—to enormous success, we are bullish on the prospects for this brilliant series.”
Now do Firefly.
I think I just Blue myself.
Next: Firefly!
I’m, I’m so excited! “I’m afraid I blue myself!”
I’m into it.
Since when do you dump good news on a Friday evening.
Aren’t most of their castmembers too busy to do this? And there is little point in reviving this if you don’t get the original cast back. So how is this supposed to work?
Due to the actors being too busy nowadays, each episode will be focused on one character. So they can basically write the entire season first, then just get the actors whenever they are able to.
This can’t happen soon enough — because I’m sick and tired of hearing about it. And I say this as a fan.
Since 2005, it’s seemed like a nonstop barrage of teasing speculation. Now, they’ll make the new episodes. They’ll make the movie. We’ll all have a laugh. And then we can move on with our lives. I’m sure Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, and company are looking forward to a day when they can do a press junket or talk show without having to answer yet another Arrested Development question.
Be that as it may, both actors you mentioned haven’t done ANYTHING of comprable merit since.
Unless you think they’d rather answer questions about YEAR ONE or maybe COUPLES RETREAT?
Save Our Bluths.
HUZZAH!!!
A+
and by the time this airs, netflix will have raised their monthly streaming prices 480%.
now to just figure out how to convince my wife to NOT cancel netflix so i can watch this.
this is the best thing i’ve heard in ages.
my life will be complete once again.
thank u thank u thank u
The sound you hear is that of a zillion over-educated hipsters cheering.
Please don’t let us interrupt you from Toddlers & Tiaras.
Hi, Dee. That you chose Toddlers & Tiaras out of all the TV shows out there to make your point says wayyy more about you than me. Have a nice day.
Yeeeeessss!!
Finally, proof that God really does answer prayers.
Way to speak up Arrested fans! THERE ARE DOZENS OF US!!!
This news just makes me want to…set myself on fire!
Banner love Netflix!
Sorry to be the voice of reason here, but Arrested Development had an audience that could fill a couple of football stadiums. I know you LA based literati think it was the best thing since sliced bread, but man o man, come on now. And Netflix, what a train wreck. The company will be a penny stock in 18 months.
You realize that over five years have passed since Arrested Development went off the air and more people have now discovered the show via syndication, DVDs and streaming after the fact, right?
The Beatles remain great because they broke up while on top and death kept them from countless geezer reunion tours.
The public demanded that Arthur Conan Doyle bring back Sherlock Holmes, but as one fan said, after he came back, he wasn’t the same man.
Not a chance in hell that the Arrested Development team will catch lightning in a bottle again.
It should rest in peace.