Producer Brian Grazer has officially confirmed that they have already been working on the much-awaited season of Mitchell Hurwitz' sitcom "Arrested Development."
The Emmy Award-winning series is expected to return next year; and although the production team originally announced that there would be 17 episodes in season 5, Grazer now tells Digital Spy that the total number is still under discussion.
"More episodes are coming for sure. The creator Mitch Hurwitz is creating a writer's room right now. We're going to get everybody on board," he stated.
The producer also said that the decision would come after the storylines have been mapped out. He then credited Netflix for not following format conventions, saying that the network "march to the beat of their own drum."
Meanwhile, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos revealed more details about the sitcom's new installment during the TCA press tour.
"We are plugging along. It's a long, complex deal to make, talent is very busy. The intent is to have a new season of Arrested Development, and all negotiations are underway," he said.
Jessica Walter, who plays Lucille Bluth in the show, hinted on Hurwitz' plans for season 5. In an interview with TV Line at the Comic-Con, she said that she asked the executive producer for some news she could share with the press.
According to the actress, Hurwitz said the following, "Now that Buster (Tony Hale) has been arrested for the murder of Liza Minnelli, we're very anxious to get this season started."
Season 4 ended with a scene wherein Minnelli's character Lucille Austero was lying in a pool of blood, before her body disappeared. Lucille was Buster's on-again, off-again lover.
It has been two years since "Arrested Development" season 4 aired in Netflix. Before that, it took six years before the series was renewed. Although no premiere date has yet been set for season 5, it is expected to air next year.
