Secret plot twist that would’ve totally changed The Office

A plot twist considered by the writers of The Office would’ve meant a very different ending for one of TV’s most beloved couples, Jim and Pam.

John Krasinski saved The Office characters Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly’s relationship after the show’s writers wanted them to break up in season 9.

In the book The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, author Andy Greene said the show creator, Greg Daniels, wanted to break up Halpert and Beesly in season 9 with a cheating scandal, Collider reported. The characters went public with their relationship in season 4.

One of The Office writers, Owen Ellickson, revealed the secret alternate ending in the book.

Pam and Jim in The Office’s finale – can you believe these two almost didn’t end up together? Picture: Getty Images

Halpert and Beesly’s relationship was on the rocks when he accepted a job in Philadelphia in season 9. At the time, a new character Brian was introduced and was a comfort to Beesly while Halpert was gone.

Ellickson, 41, said he planned to have Beesly and Brian “hooking up a little bit”. He added, “Ultimately, I don’t think it was about actually going there. They never did anything. It was just to introduce worry in the audience.”

Binge is Australia’s new streaming service offering the best drama, entertainment and movies from the world’s best creators – including all nine seasons of The Office. New to Binge? Get your two week free trial, sign up at binge.com.au

They didn’t move forward with the plan because of Krasinski, now 40, who played Halpert.

“We had to pull the ripcord on it because it was so painful to the fans of the show. John Krasinski said to me, ‘Brent, this final season is for the ultra fans of the show. They’re the only ones really still left watching, right? This is for them. Jim and Pam splitting up is too painful for them to sustain all the way to the reunion. We have to get them back together immediately’,” show writer Brent Forrester claimed in the book.

The pair’s slow-burning love story was at the heart of the show. Picture: Getty

He added: “I was like, ‘Wow, we can’t allow this beautiful couple to really be like on the verge of divorce. It’s too awful for them.’”

During season 6 Halpert and Beesley got married after Beesley found out she was pregnant. Jenna Fischer, who played Beesley, was pregnant in real life during season 8 and her pregnancy was written into the script.

When The Office ended after 9 seasons, Krasinki and Fischer’s characters were happily married with two kids.

The Office was a huge hit. Picture: Paul Drinkwater

This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission.