Australia’s David Brent is revealed… and its a woman! Casting for remake of the iconic British series The Office is confirmed
A little known female comedian has been unveiled as the lead star of the Australian remake of The Office.
Names as big as Isla Fisher and Magda Szubanski have been rumoured to take on the lead role made famous by Ricky Gervais in the iconic BBC sitcom over the years.
But instead of David Brent, Aussies will get Hannah Howard as Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal it’s actually a relatively unknown comedian who has claimed the role of a cringe-inducing office boss in the remake.
Felicity Ward (The Inbetweeners 2, Spicks and Specks) is the successful candidate for the role that made Steve Carell a household name in the Emmy award winning US remake.
The 42-year-old will play Hannah Howard, a ‘modern-day David Brent’ and the managing director of packaging company Flinley Craddick, Prime Video have revealed.
Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal it’s actually a relatively unknown comedian set to claim the role of a cringe-inducing office boss in the Aussie remake of The Office. Pictured: star Felicity Ward
The plot of the series involves Howard receiving news from Head Office that her branch will be shutting down. Howard then ‘goes into survival mode, making promises she can’t keep in order to keep her “work family” together.’
‘The staff of Flinley Craddick indulge her and must endure Hannah’s outlandish plots as they work toward the impossible targets that have been set for them.’
The mockumentary-style sitcom series will launch in 2024 on Prime Video globally.
In a statement, original co-creator Gervais said, ‘I’m very excited about Australia remaking my little show from the turn of the century. Office politics have changed a bit in 20 years, so can’t wait to see how they navigate a modern-day David Brent.’
Production on the female-led eight-part Australian Amazon Original series will commence in Sydney in June, with filming to take place over eight weeks.
Felicity Ward (The Inbetweeners 2, Spicks and Specks) is the successful candidate for the role that made Steve Carell a household name in the Emmy award winning US remake
Joining Ward on screen will be local stars Edith Poor (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Steen Raskopoulos (The Duchess), Shari Sebbens (Thor: Love and Thunder) and Firass Dirani (Underbelly).
The Office Australia is executive produced by Julie De Fina (Aftertaste), Jackie van Beek (The Breaker Upperers), and Kylie Washington.
‘We are thrilled to be bringing one of the biggest comedy franchises ever made to Prime Video customers in Australia and around the world,’ said Sarah Christie, senior development executive Prime Video Australia in a statement.
‘It is an honour to continue the international comedy legacy of The Office locally while introducing new, quintessentially Australian characters.’
‘We can’t wait for audiences to meet Hannah Howard, the first female boss The Office format has explored.’
Names as big as Isla Fisher (left in April) and Magda Szubanski (right, in 2022) have been rumoured to take the lead role made famous by Ricky Gervais in the iconic BBC sitcom over the years
The original series (pictured) consisted of two six episode seasons, plus two Christmas specials
The Office Australia is co-produced by BBC Studios ANZ, Bunya Entertainment, and Amazon Studios, and is based on a BBC Studios format.
The original series consisted of two six episode seasons, plus two Christmas specials.
It featured Gervais as David Brent, an awkward office manager at a large paper company in Slough called Wernham Hogg.
The US remake was produced by NBC and saw Carell take on a version Gervais’ role, playing Michael Scott, regional manager of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch.
That widely popular version of the show ran for nine seasons and 201 episodes.
The US remake was produced by NBC and saw Carell (pictured) take on a version Gervais’ role, playing Michael Scott, regional manager of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch
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