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Does Will Arnett seem powerful to you? Lordly? Kingly, even? After this weekend, he should — at least when it comes to ruling over the world of streaming. You see, as of last Friday, Will Arnett has appeared in a monster amount of Netflix Originals. Like, way more than any working actor should.
By our count, Will Arnett has managed to appear in not one, not two, not even three, but five different Netflix Originals. (Well, technically six if you count his appearance as himself on Chelsea.) By our count, this makes Will Arnett the unofficial King of Netflix. Look on his comedy, ye fools, and despair! I mean, laugh first, but then despair, because there’s no way that Drew Barrymore or her Santa Clarita Diet will be able to topple Arnett from his perch of glory.
How did he stealthily accomplish this feat? With timing and style (and by getting himself on five different Netflix Originals).
'Arrested Development'
When Netflix optioned a fourth season of the cult classic Arrested Development back in 2012, it was a sign that they intended to be the home for groundbreaking original series. They managed to bring the entire original cast back, including one Will Arnett. Little did any of us know that just as Arnett was reprising his role as the blustering illusionist GOB Bluth, he was also setting the foundation for his creative home for the next few years. He was going to help Netflix usher in a new age of original content and Netflix was going to help him by keeping him employed.
Coincidentally, Netflix has just commissioned a fifth season. Lordy, they love that Will Arnett!
'BoJack Horseman'
You could argue that Will Arnett’s most successful project to date with Netflix is the one where he’s a depressed horse. BoJack Horseman is a brilliantly brittle look at mental health and showbusiness. Arnett voices the title character, a washed up sitcom star trying to find his way in Hollywood. The one catch? He’s a horse. The experimental series has become a massive critical darling and a jewel in Netflix’s programming crown.
(Also, Arnett appears as the character in separate Netflix titles Horsin’ Around and BoJack Horseman: Christmas Special — so count those as you will.)
'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'
Arnett’s third “appearance” on a Netflix Original was on Tina Fey’s delightfully dark look at survival, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Now, you may be saying to yourself, “Wait, a minute, I’ve watched Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt six times and I’ve never seen Will Arnett pop up – and I’m great at spotting cameos!” Sure, yes, and you would be correct. Technically, Arnett has never appeared on the sitcom, but he did provide voice over work for one of the most bizarre jokes in the first season. He plays the voice of “Kitty” in the “Bunny and Kitty” webseries.
'Flaked'
Netflix finally got their sh*t together and gave their favorite actor on Earth his own live action original comedy series last year. Flaked was developed by Arnett and Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz for the streaming platform. Arnett stars as Chip, a self-help guru who kind of needs a lot of help himself. The series was met with lukewarm reception from critics, but Netflix liked it enough to give it a second season, to premiere later this year. Or should we say that Netflix liked Will Arnett enough to bow to his bidding? (We’re guessing the first one.)
'A Series of Unfortunate Events'
Arnett’s latest appearance in a Netflix Original came as quite the surprise to us. In the series premiere of A Series of Unfortunate Events, we are led to believe that the Baudelaire orphans’ parents are indeed dead (because that’s what by definition makes them orphans). So you can imagine our surprise when the first episode ends and we are left with what looks to be the huge revelation that both parents are alive. Well, two characters named “Mother” and “Father” are alive. Mother is played by Cobie Smulders and Father is none other than the KING OF NETFLIX, Will Arnett.
We see what you’re doing, Will Arnett. We’re onto your game and we expect we’ll be seeing you on the next season of The Crown.
