Arrested Development
Arrested Development is an American television sitcom created by Mitchell Hurwitz.
Arrested Development is an American television sitcom created by Mitchell Hurwitz. It follows the dysfunctional Bluth family after their wealth collapses and their patriarch is imprisoned.
What it is
The series centers on the formerly wealthy Bluth family in Orange County, California. Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) tries to keep the family together after the collapse of the family business and his father's imprisonment. The ensemble cast includes Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, David Cross, Jeffrey Tambor, and Jessica Walter, with Ron Howard providing narration.
Why it matters
Known for its dense continuity, running gags, and nonlinear storytelling, the show earned critical acclaim and a strong cult following despite low original ratings. It won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. Its revival on Netflix in 2013 and 2018–19 demonstrated the lasting appeal of clever, character-driven comedy.
Broadcast history
Arrested Development originally aired on Fox from November 2, 2003 to February 10, 2006 (three seasons). After a seven-year hiatus, Netflix revived the series for a fourth season in 2013 and a fifth in 2018–19, bringing the total to 84 episodes across five seasons. The show remains widely available in Canada through streaming services.
In short
- Created by Mitchell Hurwitz for Fox, later revived by Netflix.
- Follows the Bluth family's struggles after financial ruin.
- Praised for its inventive writing, running jokes, and narrator-driven style.
- Developed a loyal cult following despite modest original ratings.
The series has been widely available in Canada through television and streaming distribution, and it remains a well-known American sitcom among Canadian audiences.
Quick questions
Who created Arrested Development?
How many seasons does Arrested Development have?
Was Arrested Development revived after cancellation?
Sources
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arrested-DevelopmentSupports: Creator, premise, original run, and Netflix revival.
- TVSeriesFinale — https://www.tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/arrested-development/Supports: Seasons, episodes, broadcast dates, and network history.
- Kiddle — https://www.kids.kiddle.co/Arrested_DevelopmentSupports: Original and Netflix run dates, episode count, style, awards, and premise.
- Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/arrested_developmentSupports: Creator, synopsis, genre, network, and release date.
- IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367279/Supports: Series run, cast, and reception overview.
- Redbook — https://www.redbookmag.com/life/charity/g43401672/11-facts-you-didnt-know-about-arrested-development/Supports: Fox run ending, cult following, and Netflix revival.