Netflix executive says there is ‘no question’ Arrested Development will return

Netflix executive says there is ‘no question’ Arrested Development will return

Producer Brian Grazer has hinted that a new 17-episode season is in the works.

“Arrested Development” fans may be feeling the effects of déjà vu, as the Golden Globe winning show’s producers are once again hinting all is not over for the comedy.

The dysfunctional Bluth Family’s riches to rags story originally aired on Fox for three seasons from 2003 to 2006, when it received low ratings and was canceled. After that, rumors of additional seasons and perhaps a feature film persisted for 5 years until 2011, when Netflix agreed to license new episodes and distribute them exclusively on its streaming video service.

The “Arrested” fourth season, made up of 15 episodes, was released on Netflix in May 2013. However, Eric Goldman’s review for IGN complained the ensemble cast almost never appeared together.

To date, Netflix has not officially confirmed the show’s return. Nevertheless, in September 2013 Netflix’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, said there was “no question” that Arrested Development would return to the streaming service. By Fall 2014 the timing of the show’s return was still unclear, and Sarandos still told USA Today it was just a matter of when.

Now, in an interview with Grantland’s Bill Simmons primarily discussing Imagine Entertainment’s mid season breakout hit show “Empire”, the “Arrested Development” producer and Imagine Entertainment co-founder Brian Grazer continues to hint that the show is likely return to Netflix for another string of episodes.

The show’s use of hand held camera, narrations and historical footage in a continuous format garnered it much critical acclaim and cult following. It was cited by The Guardian’s James Donaghy in October 2011 as a key influence on later single-camera sitcoms such as 30 Rock, Modern Family, Community, The Office and, most significantly, FX’s animated Archer.

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