Season Five

Season Five
All sixteen episodes available now on Netflix

Season Five of Arrested Development was released on Netflix in 2018 and 2019. The entire original cast has returned and appears collectively together more frequently than in the previous season to solve the disappearance of Lucille 2.^[1]

There are a total of sixteen episodes in Season Five, eight of the episodes were released May 29, 2018 and the rest on March 15, 2019. ^[2]

Announcement[]

On May 17, 2017 Netflix announced that the Bluth family would return in 2018. A press release was published, stating the entire original cast and series showrunner Mitch Hurwitz would return.^[3]

Mitch Hurwitz: In talks with Netflix we all felt that stories about a narcissistic, erratically behaving family in the building business — and their desperate abuses of power — are really underrepresented on TV these days. I am so grateful to them and to 20th TV for making this dream of mine come true in bringing the Bluths, George Sr., Lucille and the kids; Michael, Ivanka, Don Jr., Eric, George-Michael, and who am I forgetting, oh, Tiffany. Did I say Tiffany? — back to the glorious stream of life.

Netflix Press Releases^[3]

Production[]

See also: Season Five/History

2013 Netflix Press Conference - Jason 1 — Jason Bateman calls Season Four "Act 1"

The final episode of Season Three, "Development Arrested," featured Maeby and Mort Meyers pitching a TV show about the Bluth family to Ron Howard, who said "maybe a movie." Since that episode aired in February 2006 the cast and crew dropped hints about a film epilogue. At the 2011 New Yorker Festival Reunion series showrunner Mitch Hurwitz and the main cast announced they were going to make a fourth season as a prequel to the film.

The fourth season premiered on Netflix in May 2013 and from 2013-2017 various cast and crew members and Netflix executives stated that Season Five was in the works but it wasn't until May 2017 that the fifth season was officially announced.

During pre-production, production, post-production, and press events for Season Four Jason Bateman and Hurwitz repeatedly called Season Four "Act 1" of a three-act story. In 2017 Bateman has called Season Five "Act 2" with the third act to manifest in a future season or movie.^[1]

According to Jason Bateman in July 2017, production for Season Five began in August 2017. The new season will explore more similarities to the Bluth family and the Trump family in the same way similarities between the Bush family were explored in the first three seasons.^[4] Bateman also told EW radio that the theme of the fifth season would be a murder mystery as the family attempts to solve who killed Lucille 2?^[1] The fifth season will pick up immediately after the events of Season Four.^[5]

Jason Bateman: The central spine of that story of is the death of Liza Minnelli's character, and a bit of whodunit, who may have done it, who had something to do with it. [...] That’s sort of a central thread around which [Hurwitz] is going to braid in all the colorful plot complications that he knows how to do.

EW radio^[1]

Season Five production concluded in late 2017, with additional re-shoots in February 2018. On May 7, 2018 the release date of May 29, 2018 was announced by Netflix.

As revealed on The Ellen Show, Portia de Rossi decided to retire from acting after leaving Scandal in 2017, before production of the fifth season began to pursue her art publishing and curation company General Public Art. She called Mitch Hurwitz to inform him of her decision, but they both agreed and Mitch wrote her into five episodes of the season.^[6]

In February 2019 it was announced that the final eight episodes of Season Five would be released on March 15, 2019.

Controversy[]

During the production of season five, Jeffrey Tambor was accused of sexual assault by his fellow cast members of the Amazon show Transparent, he was interviewed for ten hours and subsequently fired. Jeffrey himself revealed that he could be difficult to work with at times and apologized for any grievances he had caused.

During an interview with The New York Times, Jessica Walter revealed that Tambor had verbally harassed her on the set of Arrested Development. During the interview Jason Bateman, Tony Hale and David Cross tried defend Jeffrey's actions but they unintentionally seemed to belittle Jessica Walter's experience with him. A day after the interview Jason Bateman, Tony Hale and David Cross all apologised to Jessica Walter publicly and privately. After the backlash from social media, Netflix decided to cancel the UK leg of the Season Five press tour.

Season Four cliffhangers[]

4x12 Señoritis body outline — Lucille 2's outline from "Señoritis"

Season Four ends with several cliffhangers:

What happened to Lucille 2? — Buster is arrested for Lucille Austero's murder although every Bluth has motive for her disappearance. Furthermore, no evidence has been shown she is actually dead.
- In The Fallout, a corpse that looks a lot like Lucille Austero's is discovered and Buster says he did it, implying he actually killed her.

4x09 Smashed (99) — Thing is seen (poorly) dancing in the floating train wreck of a musical.

Who played Thing in Fantastic 4: An Action Musical? — Tobias gives the Thing costume to Buster, who leaves it by the Chicken Dan's tent before punching Herbert Love and fleeing. Yet Thing is seen (poorly) dancing in the floating train wreck of a musical.
- It is revealed in Season 5 that Gene Parmesan played The Thing.

What is Michael ashamed of? — Michael returns to the model home late the night of Cinco wearing a banana stand yellow shirt, and is extremely ashamed of something he did. Is it connected to Lucille 2's disappearance?
- As revealed in The Fallout, Michael called Lucille Austero a chicken and did his Chicken Dance in front of her. He changed into the banana stand shirt because he messed up his other one after falling down the Stair car.

4x01 Flight of the Phoenix (026) — Michael, late Cinco night, in "Flight of the Phoenix"

What happens to Fakeblock? — George Michael's fake company Fakeblock is based on a software that doesn't exist. At the end of the season George Michael is being sued by P-Hound for the ownership of Fakeblock and is, unbeknownst to himself, also being threatened by the hacktivist group Anonymous (who leave him the misinterpreted note "you are about to get screwed like you've never been screwed before") because of Fakeblock's alleged anti-piracy abilities. On top of it all, he is also committing fraud, as Fakeblock doesn't actually have any of its (vaguely) advertised capabilities.
- In The Fallout, Fakeblock is sold to the Chinese so they can build the wall, but thanks to Murphy Brown it actually corrupts data, thus making them unable to use it.

4x08 Red Hairing (235) — A handful of smaller stories that could be explored further

What happens to George Michael's relationship with his father Michael, and their lover's triangle with Rebel Alley? — George Michael and Michael's tug-of-war over Rebel comes to a head when George Michael steps up to his father and punches him.
- Michael and George Michael have a series of conflicts throughout the first half of the season, but eventually reconcile. Rebel later dumps George Michael after he sells Fakeblock.

What happens to the US/Mexico wall that George and Lindsay want to build? — Lindsay was (accidentally) hosting a successful rally to build the US/Mexico wall. Will it get built?
- The wall gets unveiled, but thanks to Murphy Brown's Fakeblock problem, the Chinese cannot figure out how to build it.

Other story continuations[]

A handful of smaller stories that could be explored further, such as Maeby's life as a sex offender, Lindsay's congressional run, G.O.B. in a post-Tony Wonder world, George Sr.'s loss of testosterone, a newly forgiving and loving Lucille and a post-explosion Tobias. In various post-Season Four interviews, Hurwitz has mentioned that several other elements will return in the next chapter:

The Chicken Dance
Cindy the Ostrich and the Season Four motif of ostriches.
Franklin Delano Bluth
The Banana Stand
Parmesan cheese & mustard
Dr. Norman
"Love Each Other"

Of these planned story points, only the Chicken Dance made a return with a final Bluth family member showing their own version of it. The Banana Stand was mentioned in "Sinking Feelings" but only because it went missing.

Cast[]

Arrested Development Season 5 - Character Promo 01

Main

Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth (16 episodes)
Portia de Rossi as Lindsay Bluth Fünke (5)
Will Arnett as G.O.B. (16)
Michael Cera as George Michael Bluth (16)
Alia Shawkat as Maeby Fünke (15)
Tony Hale as Buster Bluth (15)
David Cross as Tobias Fünke (16)
Jeffrey Tambor as George Bluth (15) and Oscar (8)
Jessica Walter as Lucille Bluth (15)
Ron Howard as Narrator (uncredited)

Returning Guest Cast

Henry Winkler as Barry Zuckerkorn^[7]
John Beard as Himself^[8]
Isla Fisher as Rebel Alley^[9]
Maria Bamford as DeBrie Bardeaux^[10]
Justin Grant Wade as Steve Holt
Ron Howard as Himself
Ben Stiller as Tony Wonder
Christine Taylor as Sally Sitwell
Martin Mull as Gene Parmesan
Judy Greer as Kitty Sanchez
Ed Begley, Jr. as Stan Sitwell
James Lipton as Warden Gentles
Liza Minnelli as Lucille Austero (new footage from "Flight of the Phoenix")
Debra Mooney as Joan Bark
Tommy Tune as Argyle Austero
Alan Tudyk as Terry Veal
Jack Dorso (Martin Short) and Ann Veal (Mae Whitman) appear only in a photo
Chris Diamantopoulos as Marky Bark
Herbert Love appears as a body double (stand-in)

New Guest Cast

Kyle Mooney as Murphy Brown Fünke^[2]
Adhir Kalyan as Adhir
Rebecca Drysdale as Lt. Toddler^[2]
Lauren Weedman as Joni Beard^[2]
Dermot Mulroney as Dusty^[2]
Frances Conroy as Lottie Dottie DA^[2]
Cobie Smulders as young Lucille Bluth^[11]
Taran Killam as young George Bluth^[11]

Episodes[]

1 | 69

"Family Leave" May 29, 2018

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Mitchell Hurwitz & Jim Vallely

Suprises greet Michael at the penthouse and Sudden Valley. George Michael confides in Maeby, who's trying to avoid Sudden Valley.

2 | 70

"Self-Deportation" May 29, 2018

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Richard Day

For varying reasons, most of the Bluths (even Steve Holt) feel compelled to run off to Mexico. Michael tries to convince Buster to go to the police.

3 | 71

"Everyone Gets Atrophy" May 29, 2018

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Mitchell Hurwitz

The family unites behind Lindsay's campaign but Michael senses that something is amiss. Maeby has an idea that George Michael likes a little too much.

4 | 72

"An Old Start" May 29, 2018

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Jim Vallely

G.O.B aquires a new office for the company with a "premium view". Michael gets a shock when he returns to a place that holds a lot of memories.

5 | 73

"Sinking Feelings" May 29, 2018

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Jim Vallely & Mitchell Hurwitz

The Bluths receive / present their award but it weighs on George Sr. and creates new problems. Michael and George Michael have a deep conversation.

6 | 74

"Emotional Baggage" May 29, 2018

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Evan Mann & Gareth Reynolds

Michael attempts to bail out Buster. George Michael finally meets the Howards and Ron Howard informs Michael that his plans for the movie have changed.

7 | 75

"Rom-Traum" May 29, 2018

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Maggie Rowe

George Michael thinks he's being lied to by Michael who thinks he's being lied to by George. G.O.B hires guys to help with his "closet conversation".

8 | 76

"Premature Independence" May 29, 2018

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Mitchell Hurwitz & Jim Vallely

As the Second of July approaches Sally steps up her campaign against Lindsay while the Bluths again struggle to keep their stories straight.

9 | 77

"Unexpected Company" March 15, 2019

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Hallie Cantor

Buster fails to show for his own prison release party. Michael examines company financial records. George Michael seeks Anonymous help to deceive Rebel.

10 | 78

"Taste Makers" March 15, 2019

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Mitchell Hurwitz

Michael jumps at a chance to spend more time with George Michael, who seeks a clueless president for Fakeblock. Tobias relocates his makeshift family.

11 | 79

"Chain Migration" March 15, 2019

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Richard Day

As George Sr. attempts to win back Lucille, Michael assembles a mold of their scheme. Meanwhile, Buster gets caught up in Tobias and G.O.B.'s business.

12 | 80

"Check Mates" March 15, 2019

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Evan Mann & Gareth Reynolds

George Sr., Lucille and Maeby give honesty a try. Good news becomes bad for George Michael. Michael remembers there's always money ... somewhere.

13 | 81

"The Untethered Sole" March 15, 2019

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Chris Marrs

Buster's brief appearance in a TV weather report puts the Bluths back in hot water, but Michael has a plan involving his son's definitely real company.

14 | 82

"Saving for Arraignment Day" March 15, 2019

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Hallie Cantor

As the trial kicks off, the Guilty Guys throw the family for a loop. Lucille learns surprising news about Dusty. George Michael plots a distraction.

15 | 83

"Courting Disasters" March 15, 2019

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Mitchell Hurwitz & Jim Vallely

George and Lucille overestimate their new lawyer's expertise in the courtroom. Two familiar faces testify, and a video sheds more light on the case.

16 | 84

"The Fallout" March 15, 2019

Directed by: Troy Miller - Written by: Mitchell Hurwitz

As the Bluths come together to unveil a wall, they once again discover that they deserve nothing more than to be saddled with each other forever.

DVD Release[]

Season5Screeners — The titular Emmy screeners mentioned in this section.

As of now this season has gotten no offical release of all 16 episodes. However 7 episodes of Season 5 are avaliable legally without a Netflix subscription. These episodes include: Family Leave, Self-Deportation, Everyone gets atrophy. (Season 5 Part 1) And Taste Makers, Chain Migration, Courting Disaters, and The Fallout. (Season 5 Part 2). These are only avaliable on the Emmy FYC Screeners made for this season and as of now Netflix and 20th Century Fox have not announced any plans to produce anything for this season. Making this the only season (excluding the Fateful Consequences) to not have an offical DVD release

Format changes[]

In the initial press release it was stated that the cast would appear "collectively." ^[3] In a May 2017 interview Will Arnett stated that the new season will be structured "much like the original broadcast series."^[12]

Jason Bateman: I’ve read the first three scripts, and it all continues to be either all together or paired off in twos and threes, basically the same format as the Fox episodes, so that’s all back on.

RottenTomatoes.com^[5]

Main title[]

The title sequence reverts back to the original theme from the first three seasons, but with a few photo changes, including replacing Buster's hook with his new robotic hand.

Vote Bluth Campaign[]

Main article: 2018 Vote Bluth Campaign

In true Bluth fashion, the Bluths want to award themselves the Golden Anchor award and give themselves the title of Best Family of the Year. They are doing a campaign to prove just how deserving they are including a website, campaign poster and more!