Arrested Development returns with a new home on Netflix

Michael Cera, Jason Bateman and co are back after a six-year break

Will Arnett (left) and Jason Bateman in Arrested Development, which returned today (PA)

Today saw the return of one of the English-speaking world's best-loved comedies - only six years after its network cancelled it.

Arrested Development was canned by Fox in 2006, after critical acclaim failed to materialise into commercial success.

But subsequent word-of-mouth growth in DVD sales and online streams have made Mitchell Hurwitz's show - which stars Jason Bateman and Superbad's Michael Cera - a hit. It is also credited with inspiring other hit comedies like Community and Parks and Recreation.

And fans were rewarded for their famous loyalty today, as the show returned for a fourth series on internet television network Netflix.

The whole series is now available to stream, with many fans planning to watch the entire 15-episode series in one sitting.

As for the future, the options of another series and even a film are still on the table, according to Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer for Netflix. He told the Hollywood Reporter: "We would love to do more, and we have a deal in place that says that there could be. The problem is logistics. They were all working full-time and doing this show in between, and they did it for the love of the show and for Mitch Hurwitz.

"If we can muster up that love again, we’d love to do it again. And we have talked openly about a movie scenario, too."