When it’s not expanding overseas, calling out massive multi-media conglomerates, or securing billion dollar content deals, Netflix is carefully cultivating its own original programming. The company made a big move towards that end yesterday by signing the creator of Arrested Development, Mitch Hurwitz to a multi-year deal.
“We are lucky to be in business with Mitch Hurwitz, a true genius with one of the most distinctive voices in comedy,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. He went on to call Arrested Development “one of the top TV comedies of this generation.”
According to Variety, the new deal will give Hurwitz the freedom to move out from under the Arrested Development umbrella to produce and develop new original projects for Netflix. Following its cancellation on Fox after three seasons, Hurwitz and Netflix struck a deal to create a fourth season of Arrested Development seven years after the show left the air. On May 26, Netflix released 15 new episodes, exclusive to the streaming platform.
While the new episodes received mixed reviews, they brought in a big audience and helped pave the way for other popular original programming from Netflix, including hits like the Emmy-winning House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. It’s not clear at this point whether or not Hurwitz will produce more Arrested Development episodes under the new deal, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. For now, Netflix appears happy to have locked down Hurwitz in hopes the producer will spin more comedic gold.
