Based on The Office, the multi-award-winning BBC hit, and renamed, erm, The Office, this is Reveille and NBC Universal Television Studio's documentary-style look into the 9-to-5 world of a typical American workplace.
Just like the original, it features a fly-on-the-wall docu-reality style. Instead of Wernham Hogg, the paper supply company is Dunder Mifflin Inc. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Regional manager Michael Scott is single, middle-aged and a rather self-confident tour guide for this documentary. Just like Brent, he is the office 'funnyman' and a fountain of business wisdom to his employees.
Tim and Dawn, as we knew them, are Jim and Pam, and Dwight Schrute is clearly the intensely irritating Gareth figure. So very little of the basic concept has been altered.
Steve Carell stars as Michael Scott, the pompous and deluded boss. In the U.S. Carell is best known for his frequent contributions as a correspondent on The Daily Show and his performances in Bruce Almighty and Anchor Man.
Rainn Wilson portrays Dwight Schrute, an eccentric paper salesman whose ego knows no bounds. He has also been seen in Sahara, Baadasssss, Almost Famous, Full Frontal and Galaxy Quest. But Wilson is well known for his recurring role on the television series Six Feet Under as Arthur Martin, the odd mortician intern.
John Krasinski portrays sales rep Jim Halpert, a decent and funny guy who has a crush on his co-worker Pam, and likes to make trouble for Dwight. Krasinski's feature-film credits include Kinsey, Duane Hopwood and Jarhead starring Jake Gyllenhall and directed by Sam Mendes.
Jenna Fischer portrays Pam Beesly, the office receptionist. Born and raised in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, Fischer showed proficiency in both show business and office procedural work.
At the age of 10, she snagged the role of Toto in her school play The Wizard of Oz, and shortly thereafter she took her first typing class, earning an 'A'. Fischer's television series credits include guest-starring roles on That 70s Show, Six Feet Under and Spin City.
B.J. Novak portrays Ryan Howard, the cool-headed office temp. Novak is also a writer for the series. Novak is also known for his stand-up comedy. His talents were recently seen on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien and on Comedy Central's Premium Blend.
The Office is executive-produced by Ben Silverman, Greg Daniels, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Howard Klein. It was created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, and developed for American television by Greg Daniels.
