Netflix Is Removing Another Netflix Original From Its Platform This Week

Previously, Netflix announced thatArrested Development, one of the flagship shows the streamer adopted while building its empire, would be leaving the platform on March 15. Now, it appears that its original seasons, produced and hosted exclusively by Netflix, will disappear — making it essentially lost media.

As early as 2023, the streamer announced plans for the cult comedy series, which would be leaving the service, but a deal between Disney and Netflix ensured it would stay for another three years. Originally produced by Fox, the first three seasons of the Jason Bateman-led series ran from 2003 to 2006. Around 2011, when the platform was still relatively in its infancy compared to now and was a decade off from ceasing the shipping of DVDs, Netflix got the license for the first three seasons for its service.

Arrested Development is one of the key examples of the "Netflix Bump" phenomenon — where older shows, often ones that have ceased production, such as Prison Break, or even then-relatively unknown shows like Breaking Bad, find a surge of popularity through streaming, helping to achieve a far greater audience than they had through syndication.

Due to its streaming success, Netflix produced a revival of the show with a fourth season, premiering in 2013, with a fifth season airing between 2018 and 2019. These newer episodes received polarized responses, with much of its criticism directed at episodes focused on sole characters, with little core cast interaction. This led to the creation of Arrested Development Season 4 Remix: Fateful Consequences in 2018, a chronological cut of the revival season.

According to a recent update by What's On Netflix, there's no new home for all five seasons once it leaves the platform. Whether you like the more recent episodes or not, they will now be officially, literally unwatchable — with no streaming, purchase, or rental options currently available. It is possible Disney may re-purchase the formerly Fox property and have it on Disney+, but no word has been made on that yet.

Both Netflix and Disney have been criticized for making their original streaming projects lost media, angering fans who wish to have a permanent place to watch their favorites. Netflix is set to remove over 100 of its original programming and content from its service this year, in a bid to shave off some funds. To make matters worse, the company rarely produces DVDs, Blu-rays, or any other form of physical media for those who want a legal form of the film or TV show.