EXCLUSIVE: David Brent from Australia is revealed: Casting for Prime Video’s remake of The Office confirmed
An Australian version of The Office has been in development since 2018.
Rumors have it that names as big as Isla Fisher and Magda Szubanski will take on the lead role made famous by Ricky Gervais in the iconic BBC sitcom over the years.
But Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that it’s actually a relatively unknown comedian who claims the role of a hair-raising office boss in the Aussie 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 American remake.
The 42-year-old plays Hannah Howard, the managing director of packaging company Flinley Craddick in The Office Australia, Prime Video has revealed.
Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that it’s actually a relatively unknown comedian who takes on the role of a cringing office boss in the Aussie remake of The Office. In the photo: star Felicity Ward
The plot of the series involves Howard receiving news from HQ that her branch will be closing. Howard “then goes into survival mode, making promises she can’t keep to keep her ‘work family’ together.”
“Flinley Craddick’s staff spoils her and must endure Hannah’s outlandish plots as they work toward the impossible goals set before them.”
The mockumentary-style sitcom series will launch worldwide on Prime Video in 2024.
In a statement, original co-creator Gervais said, “I’m really excited for Australia to recreate my little show from the turn of the century. Office politics have changed a bit over the last 20 years, so I can’t wait to see how they navigate a modern David Brent.”
Production on the female-led eight-part Australian Amazon Original series will begin in Sydney in June and will run for 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 American 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 largest comedy franchises ever created to Prime Video customers in Australia and around the world,” said Sarah Christie, senior development executive Prime Video Australia in a statement.
“It’s an honor to continue The Office’s international comedy legacy locally while introducing new, quintessentially Australian characters.”
“We can’t wait for audiences to meet Hannah Howard, the first female boss to explore The Office format.”
Rumor has it that names as big as Isla Fisher (left in April) and Magda Szubanski (right, in 2022) will play 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 a co-production of 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.
Gervais played David Brent, a bumbling office manager at a major paper company in Slough named Wernham Hogg.
The American remake was produced by NBC and saw Carell take on the role of a version of Gervais, playing Michael Scott, regional manager of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch.
That very popular version of the show ran for nine seasons and 201 episodes.
The American remake was produced by NBC and saw Carell (pictured) take on a version of the role of Gervais, playing Michael Scott, regional manager of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch