New Australian production brings a twist to popular TV show The Office
An Australian version of popular TV series The Office is set to start production — and there’s a twist for the leading role.
Fiona Byrne
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An Australian version of revered TV series The Office will start production within weeks with internationally successful comedian, actor and author Felicity Ward landing the lead role.
In a seismic twist for the franchise, the lead character in the Australian version of the show is female.
Australian-born Ward, who is based in London, is known for her known for her roles in Wakefield and The InBetweeners 2 and was a regular guest on Spicks and Specks and Thank God You’re Here.
The original British version of The Office made a global star out of Ricky Gervais, who co-created, co-wrote, directed and starred in the show as the cloddish central character, David Brent.
It ran for two seasons in the early 2000s with just 14 episodes made.
The US version of the show ran for nine seasons and starred Steve Carell in the lead role as Michael Scott.
Plans for the Australian version of the show were first revealed by the Sunday Herald Sun in February 2022 as initial casting got underway in Sydney.
In The Office Australia, Ward plays Hannah Howard, the managing director of packaging company Flinley Craddick.
Other cast includes Edith Poor, Steen Raskopoulos, Shari Sebbens, Josh Thomson, Jonny Brugh, Pallavi Sharda, Susan Ling Young, Raj Labade, Lucy Schmit, and Firass Dirani.
The show follows Ward’s character Hannah after she receives news from head office that they will be shutting down her branch and making everyone work from home.
She goes into survival mode, making promises she can’t keep in order to keep her “work family” together. The staff of Flinley Craddick must endure Hannah’s outlandish plots as they work toward the impossible targets that have been set for them.
The Office Australia will start filming in June and will launch on Prime Video in 2024.
It is co-produced by BBC Studios ANZ, Bunya Entertainment, and Amazon Studios, and is based on a BBC Studios format.
“We are thrilled to be bringing one of the biggest comedy franchises ever made to Prime Video customers in Australia and around the world,” said Sarah Christie, senior development executive Prime Video Australia.
“It is an honour to continue the international comedy legacy of The Office locally while introducing new, quintessentially Australian characters. We can’t wait for audiences to
meet Hannah Howard, the first female boss The Office format has explored.”
Kylie Washington, general manager and creative
director, production for BBC Studios ANZ, said: “The Office has connected with audiences around the world because everyone recognises their own David Brent, and now it’s Australia’s turn.
“We figured the world is ready for a loveable, flawed, lady boss, ruling over her packaging empire in The Office Australia.”
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