Did Arrested Development's Mitch Hurwitz create too much content for the fourth season's 10-episode Netflix run? That's a nice problem to have. Usually when this happens, they stick a few of the funnier moments together to make a "behind the scenes" special; but in this case, Hurwitz proposed extending the season to 13 episodes and Netflix agreed. We're going to assume Netflix knows what we know: Arrested Development fans are terrifyingly loyal to the show and if word got out that there was some un-aired footage floating around and nobody was doing anything about it? Well, let's just say Reed Hastings better sleep with one eye open (of course, he's probably already doing so).
According to Deadline Hollywood, during production on season four, as well as shooting more material than he planned for, Hurwitz also came up with ideas for additional scenes and storylines. Along with 20th Century Fox TV and Imagine TV, he approached Netflix and secured an extension on the original 10-episode order. The new season will now feature 12-15 episodes.
Back in August, David Cross hinted at a longer season. He told Rolling Stone: "I think it's going to be 13 episodes, not 10. There's too much story. Some characters will have two-parters. Everybody sort of participates, sometimes in a bigger way and sometimes in a tiny little thread that goes through everybody else's stories."
Unfortunately, Netflix has yet to substantiate Deadline's report. A spokesperson for the company issued this statement: "We are thrilled with the direction of the show, with the footage we have seen and with the relationship between Mitch, Imagine, 20th and Netflix. At this time, we are not confirming or announcing the final episode count but we are sure fans will be thrilled when we do."
Despite potential changes to the production schedule, it does not look like the March premiere will be affected. As they say in the business: stay tuned. [Empire via Deadline Hollywood]