Netflix is quickly becoming known as an exciting player in the original programming market, with hit shows like "Orange Is the New Black" and "House of Cards" penetrating mainstream culture and snagging major awards. Following these successes, the online streaming service has ordered a huge slate of new programs set to debut over the next few years.
One of the online streaming service's first forays into original programming was resurrecting beloved cult comedy "Arrested Development" for a fourth season an incredible seven years after it was cancelled by Fox. Netflix never discloses viewership numbers, but it's believed that "Development" did quite well for the company.
Chief content officer Ted Sarandos, who oversees Netflix's originals, told USA Today that he's "positive" another season of "Arrested Development" will happen — "it's just a matter of when." Creator and showrunner Mitch Hurwitz hasn't yet commented on a fifth season, but one assumes he'd be only too happy to produce another run.
Sarandos says that one of the biggest hurdles a fifth season would face is coordinating the schedules of the show's stars, many of whom have gone on to successful careers elsewhere in Hollywood. The Netflix chief knows that fans weren't entirely happy that the cast of "Arrested Development" didn't share much screen time together in Season 4, due to those very scheduling issues. So it sounds like Netflix won't commit to a new season unless this concern can be addressed.
Other new shows in the offing on Netflix include adult animated comedy "BoJack Horseman"; an update of yesteryear's kids cartoon "The Magic School Bus"; historical saga "Marco Polo"; dramedy "Grace and Frankie" starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin; sci-fi serial "Sense 8" from the Wachowskis ("The Matrix") and J. Michael Straczynski ("Babylon 5") and a yet-to-be titled family drama starring Sam Shepard, Sissy Spacek and Kyle Chandler. Chelsea Handler has a weekly talk show coming in 2016, and 2015 will see "Daredevil," the first product from Netflix's high profile partnership with Marvel for four "street level" superhero shows that will eventually combine, "Avengers"-style.
Next year will also deliver new seasons of "House of Cards" and "Orange Is the New Black."
