‘Arrested Development’ Creator Mitch Hurwitz Developing New Netflix Series: Is Season 5 Dead?

Fresh off his recent 'Community' season 5 cameo, we might have hoped 'Arrested Development' creator Mitch Hurwitz would at last dig his heels into a fifth season followup to the classic cult comedy's Netflix return, or at least a movie, but for now the streaming service is at least keeping Hurwitz close. Hurwitz has officially signed to develop new original series for Netflix, leaving the future of 'Arrested Development' unclear in the process.

Via Deadline, Hurwitz has signed a multi-year pact to create and produce new original series for Netflix under the banner of his production unit The Hurwitz Company. The 'Arrested Development' writer-producer will also develop projects with other creators as a non-writing executive producer, consulting on other Netflix comedy series as well.

For the moment it remains unclear how the deal affects Hurwitz's commitment to future 'Arrested Development,' though when last we heard, the creator seemed to lean toward producing the long-awaited movie before considering the prospect of additional seasons, either of which would definitively air on Netflix. As for Hurwitz's new deal with Netflix, the man himself said of the arrangement:

It is incredibly inspiring to get to produce for Netflix, a company that not only doesn’t resist change but is leaps and bounds ahead of everyone in forging it. The fact that I’m also getting one month of their streaming right to my TV or Xbox free … well, it really takes the sting out of buying that Xbox.

Well, what do you think? Are we lucky to have Hurwitz producing under Netflix period, or might this spell bad news for future 'Arrested Development?' What did you think of the fourth season on Netflix? Give us your take in the comments, and let us know where you'd like to see the series head next!