When the original version of The Office debuted in the United Kingdom in 2001, few could have predicted that it would launch 12 adaptations around the world including an American version of The Office that ran for nine seasons. Next month, Australia is getting the 13th version of The Office. And if the first trailer is any indication, a lot of the old character archetypes are back with new performers in some very familiar roles.
At first glance, this version of The Office has the same mockumentary style as the others. The biggest change is that Felicity Ward–who was recently seen in Apple TV+’s Time Bandits–is the first female boss in the franchise. Ward is playing Hannah Howard, the managing director of a packaging company called Finley Craddick.
Hannah is more of a Michael Scott than a David Brent, and she’s a firm believer in her own abilities as a boss. This show is set post-COVID, and Finley Craddick has decided that everyone can work remotely. That terrifies Hannah, because in her own way, she loves her employees. Unfortunately, that love is expressed by forcing her workers to keep coming into the office even when they would rather be anywhere else.
The Office will be available in Australia on Prime Video on October 18, but it’s not clear if it will also be coming to America. Meanwhile, Peacock has already given the green light for The Paper, an Office follow-up series that will feature Star Wars sequel trilogy actor Domhnall Gleeson and White Lotus’ Sabrina Impacciatore in the leading roles. That series doesn’t currently have a release date.
