The Office (BBC Two Sitcom, Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman)

Sitcom The Office has achieved iconic status these days, written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, it’s a comedy made in the style of a docusoap where the staff of a paper merchants in Slough called Wernham Hogg are filmed and interviewed doing their jobs.

The principal character was their boss, David Brent (Ricky Gervaus), who believed his sole purpose was to entertain the staff and boost morale. At the end of the second series Brent was made redundant. In 2003 there were two Christmas specials with the “docusoap” revisiting the staff after a three year interval. Brent was shown trying to launch himself as minor celebrity following the transmission of the original documentary.

The Office gave star making roles to Martin Freeman who played Tim and Mackenzie Crook who was Gareth.

The two series were shown on BBC Two with the concluding specials shown on BBC One.

Cast: Ricky Gervais as David Brent; Mackenzie Crook as Gareth; Martin Freeman as Tim; Lucy Davis as Dawn; Patrick Baladi as Neil (Series 2); Ewan Mackintosh as Keith

Writers and Directors: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant / Producer: Ash Atalla

UK / BBC Two / 12×30 minute episodes 1×45 minute episode and 1×55 minute episode / Broadcast 2001 – 2003