Netflix is reviving axed 'Arrested Development'

[November 19, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- "Arrested Development" is coming back to life on the Netflix video streaming service.

The quirky TV comedy series is resuming production and will be available for instant viewing by Netflix subscribers in 2013, the company announced late Friday. "Arrested Development" aired on Fox for three seasons from 2003 to 2006.

The Emmy-winning show focused on the formerly wealthy Bluth family and featured Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Portia de Rossi, Michael Cera and Jeffrey Tambor in its cast. Netflix didn't specify which original cast members might be returning or say how many new episodes were planned.

Twentieth Century Fox Television and Imagine Television will produce these new episodes for the online subscription service, reviving the series five years after the Fox broadcast network pulled the plug.

Imagine Entertainment co-founders Ron Howard and Brian Grazer noted that 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," they said.

Earlier this year, Netflix announced that "House of Cards," a new political drama starring Kevin Spacey, will be produced for viewing on the service in 2012.

[Associated Press]

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