If you'll cast your mind back to 2015, there were a flurry of stories that suggested a fifth season of Arrested Development was underway and would most likely hit Netflix around 2016.

It's 2017 now and we know that didn't pan out. Most people assumed that Arrested Development was pretty much dead in the water, considering that none of the cast ever really had positive answers on the subject. Not only that, Mitch Hurwitz - the creator of the show - had moved on to a new comedy series for Netflix; Lady Dynamite.

Well, all that's changed quicker than Tobias and Lindsay's relationship status as it looks like a fifth season is now officially happening and that it's going to come together pretty soon. Jason Bateman took to Twitter late last night to confirm that he's officially signed on and that he'll be putting mileage on the Stair Car this summer.

The question now is whether or not the rest of the cast will be returning. Jeffrey Tambor, who played George / Oscar Bluth, has the Emmy-winning series Transparent. Jessica Walter, meanwhile, has the animated series Archer. Will Arnett doesn't have anything lined up in the future, other than maybe Bojack Horseman or another LEGO Batman Movie.

Portia DeRossi, who played Lindsay, had a recurring role in Scandall, but that won't affect her availability. Tony Hale, who played Buster, has HBO's Veep, Alia Shawkat and Michael Cera both have no outstanding commitments - although Cera is meant to turn up in Twin Peaks, but that's all been filmed so he should be free.

Long story short, there doesn't appear to be anything major stopping the original cast returning, so here's hoping for more stories like this in the near future.

 

Via Twitter