Archer Features More Arrested Development Stars Than You Probably Thought
It's no secret that comedy shows are inspired by other comedy shows, particularly when it comes to casting. Often, when producers are coming up with the cast for a new show, they'll start by considering performers who have recently had a memorable role.
The long-running animated spy comedy "Archer" is no exception. When "Archer" premiered on FX in 2009, that was just three years after "Arrested Development's" original run on Fox ended after three seasons. (It would get two more seasons in a Netflix revival). By 2009, "Arrested Development's" reputation as a critically acclaimed yet low-rated sitcom was well established–in its first three years "Arrested Development" racked up 23 Emmy nominations, and six wins (via The Emmys).
So, when "Archer" creator Adam Reed sat down to cast his series, "Arrested Development" was an obvious starting point. As Reed told IndieWire, when he sent out the casting call for Sterling Archer's (H. Jon Benjamin) domineering mother Malory, the description simply said, "think Jessica Walter." According to Reed, when the actual Jessica Walter was interested, "We just ran around the office yelling and throwing papers in the air."
Walter, however, was just the start. Here are all the "Arrested Development" performers who also voiced characters on "Archer."
Archer has way more Arrested Development alums than Jessica Walter
First up is Judy Greer, aka "Archer's" Cheryl Tunt, the absentminded and pain-loving admin at the spy agency. On "Arrested Development" she played Kitty Sanchez, George Sr.'s (Jeffrey Tambor) secretary and lover.
Speaking of Tambor, after playing the Bluth family patriarch, "Archer" brought him in to play Len Trexler, head of ISIS's rival agency ODIN and former lover of Malory–likely because of Tambor's and Walter's previous chemistry on "Arrested Development."
Next is David Cross, aka "Arrested Development's" Tobias Funke. On "Archer," he played the anthropology student Noah, who was captured by pirates.
J.K. Simmons had parts on both shows. On one episode of "Arrested Development," he played General Anderson, a former lover of Lucille. On "Archer" he voiced the dim-witted Detective Harris in Season 7.
Gary Cole played CIA Agent Richard Shaw on "Arrested Development," (the one who follows Michael, GOB, and Buster to Iraq), and FBI Special Agent Hawley on "Archer," (the one who raided ISIS headquarters.
Sam Richardson from "Detroiters" played a TSA Agent on the 2013 reboot of "Arrested Development," and the alien Bort on "Archer" Season 10.
"30 Rock's" Jack McBrayer played a waiter at the Bluth family's country club, and one of Ray Gillette's (Adam Reed) relatives, Randy.
Finally, Rob Huebel of "Human Giant" fame played a house inspector on "Arrested Development," and the Canadian assassin Patrick "Crash" McCaren on "Archer" (via IMDb).