Netflix must have found the money in the banana stand because Arrested Development won’t leave the streaming service after all.
It was reported in February that all five seasons of the acclaimed comedy series would be pulled from Netflix on March 15th due to the end of a licensing deal. That day came and went with Arrested Development remaining on the service. The first three seasons of Arrested Development were produced by 20th Century Fox, with Netflix reviving the series for two more seasons. Vulture reports that a new licensing agreement was worked out between Netflix and Disney’s 20th Television, allowing the streaming service to keep the series. As part of the agreement, Hulu will give up the rights to the first three seasons of Arrested Development, making Netflix the exclusive home for the Bluth family. In return, Disney will be able to sell the linear TV right to the series, including the two Netflix seasons, to an outside company or one of their own networks. It’s unclear when the first three seasons of Arrested Development will depart Hulu.
Arrested Development focuses on the Bluths, a dysfunctional and formerly wealthy family. Jason Bateman stars as Michael Bluth, along with Jessica Walter as Lucille Bluth, Jeffrey Tambor as George Bluth Sr., Will Arnett as Gob Bluth, Tony Hale as Buster Bluth, Portia de Rossi as Lindsay Bluth-Fünke, Michael Cera as George Michael Bluth, David Cross as Tobias Fünke, Alia Shawkat as Maeby Fünke, and Ron Howard as the Narrator. The series debuted on Fox in 2003 and although it was praised as one of the best comedies of all time, it had trouble gaining an audience. With the ratings dipping lower and lower, Fox eventually cancelled the series in 2006 after three seasons. Six years later, Netflix brought back the entire original cast for two more seasons, with the last being released in 2019. As much as I adore the original three season run of Arrested Development, I haven’t felt the urge to re-watch the Netflix seasons.
Are you glad to hear that Arrested Development will remain on Netflix?