'Arrested Development' season 5 news: Show to feature more flashbacks in storyline

"Arrested Development's" long-gestating fifth season might see a very different Bluth family.

According to reports, the hit comedy's upcoming season will likely be structured around a prequel element. Although Netflix declined to comment on the rumor, it is believed that half of the action will center on flashbacks featuring much younger versions of the quirky Bluth clan. This means that several new actors will be joining the show.

An insider claims that the move is still not finalized, but it would certainly help clearing the show's issues with scheduling. Many viewers were disappointed with season 4 because the family was not often together due to the busy schedules of its now famous cast. The source noted that with the new format, there could be more family scenes featuring multiple cast members.

Earlier this month, executive producer Brian Grazer spoke about a possible format shake-up due to the conflicting schedules of the ensemble cast. "I think we found a way to create the compensation structure for all the actors and create a work matrix so they can still make movies and do other things and it will all integrate," he told reporters at the TCA press tour.

The program originally ran on Fox from 2003 to 2006, spanning three seasons. It later returned for a fourth season on Netflix in 2013. There are speculations that production for the new installment is scheduled to start in June 2017. Grazer previously announced that season 5 would include 17 new episodes.

Last year, star Will Arnett said the cast was more than willing to continue the series. "It is something that everybody wants to do in theory, but you know how theories are," he said.The actor also confirmed that creator Mitch Hurwitz had already worked on new storylines, adding that "all the cast wants to get together and do it."

Netflix has yet to announce a premiere date for the fifth season of "Arrested Development."