Arrested Development, the beloved cult sitcom from the Fox network, is making a comeback.
Netflix purchased the rights to the series earlier this year, planning to bring the popular comedy back from cancellation for a brand new season, which premieres this Sunday, May 26. Netflix will be releasing all of the new episodes at once through their video streaming services.
The new season will find the sitcom’s original characters returning to their usual antics, years after the events of the previous episode. Each new episode will revolve around one of the main characters and what they have been up to since the show’s previous finale. The episodes may be watched in any order and tie into one another through a series of complex story arcs. This new season sets Arrested Development up for a feature-length film, which will hopefully be released within the next few years.
During its original run from 2003 to 2006, Arrested Development enjoyed a significant amount of critical acclaim, garnering six Emmys and one Golden Globe. However, the show never managed to climb in the ratings or attract a sizeable fanbase and was quickly canceled after only three seasons.
The years following cancellation proved to be the best for the Fox comedy. Through online streaming and DVD sales, Arrested Development became a sensation, particularly among teenagers and young adults. The fanbase has grown exponentially since 2006, and consequently, the show is now commonly ranked amongst the top television shows of all time. It holds a 9.2 rating on the Internet Movie Database, a score that is difficult to come by.
Arrested Development stars Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, David Cross, Portia de Rossi, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Jeffrey Tambor, Tony Hale, and Jessica Walter as the Bluths, a dysfunctional family used to relying on their company’s wealth to get by in life with minimal effort. However, their situation changes entirely when George Sr., the head of the family, is arrested for defrauding investors and stealing money from the company. George’s son, Michael, takes over the business, acting as the straight man against his eccentric family members.
With its now-significant fanbase, it’s no wonder why Arrested Development is making a comeback. All cast members have had successful careers as a result of the series. It will be refreshing to see the original actors and actresses interact together once again. For a sample of what is to come, check out the recent trailer for Arrested Development’s fourth season.
Here’s to hoping the new season of Arrested Development can live up to the brilliant original.
~Jesse Bontreger