Ash Atalla and The Office: how I started a TV phenomenon

Ash Atalla is the original producer of the hit TV show, The Office, and the proud recipient of multiple Golden Globes, BAFTAs and British Comedy Awards.

But that success was by no means a given, as his life was almost over before it began. Born in Cairo in 1972, Ash contracted polio when he was six months old and was sent home by doctors to die. Although he eventually pulled through, the virus had taken its toll and his parents decided that life as a wheelchair-user would be better supported in the UK. The family moved to Northern Ireland and then to England where Ash excelled at his studies before getting himself a junior TV role at the BBC. It was there, as a researcher in the comedy department, that Ash was introduced to two men who would change his life.

A young BBC trainee called Stephen Merchant and his friend, Ricky Gervais, had made a film called Seedy Boss and showed the tape to Ash. He loved it and felt certain it would make the perfect comedy series. Ash took it to the TV commissioners and made the unlikely pitch of a sitcom based in an office performed by unknown actors. It was a long-shot, but they saw the potential, commissioned a series and The Office was born. Since the original UK series in 2001, The Office has been made into 14 international versions with millions of viewers worldwide. Ash reflects on the fame, accolades, parties, and the challenge of moving on after spawning a global phenomenon.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Anna Lacey

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(Photo: Ash Atalla is wearing a brown sport jacket with white piping. He has a shaved head and a short beard and has a slight smile. Credit: Roughcut TV)