Steve Carell is already well-known to US viewers

Carell, who appears on US network Comedy Central's satire The Daily Show, is in talks with NBC about the role.

NBC said its version of the show will be inspired by, rather than copy, the UK original, which won two Golden Globe awards earlier this week.

Rather than call the lead character in the US Office David Brent, NBC has opted to call him Michael Scott.

Executives are currently trying to resolve a clash which has Carell committed to work on another sitcom, Come To Papa, while work is due to take place on The Office.

While a well-known face on US TV, Carell's other credits include the Hollywood film Bruce Almighty.

Other members of the cast have been confirmed - Rainn Wilson will play eccentric Dwight - based on Mackenzie Crook's Gareth - and Jenna Fischer will play put-upon assistant Pam, following Lucy Davis' character Dawn in the UK version.

Huge boost

John Kasinski will play Jim - based on Martin Freeman's likeable character Tim.

The series will be written by Greg Daniels, the man behind animated series King of The Hill. He has also worked on Seinfeld and The Simpsons.

The profile of The Office in the US received a huge boost last week when the series and its British star Ricky Gervais walked off with two Golden Globes.

The Office beat established US sitcoms such as Will and Grace and Sex and the City to win the best comedy series award while Gervais beat Matt LeBlanc to win the award for best TV comedy actor.

Receiving his award, Gervais said: "They told me to thank people, I said 'We're not going to win anyway'."