With Peacock’s reboot/revival of The Office officially confirmed, and the two leads confirmed, Steve Carell has given his praise and best regards to the new leading actor. Carell led the original The Office (US) as Michael Scott, the awkward boss who was desperate to be everyone’s friend as opposed to their strict line manager. The original show was a massive hit when it was released in 2005, and lasted for 9 seasons, before coming to a close in 2013. The show pioneered the mockumentary style of sitcom, which shows like Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, and Jury Duty would come to adopt.
Carell appeared on the latest episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote Despicable Me 4. During the conversation, Fallon broached the subject of The Office‘s new reboot, set at a failing Midwestern newspaper. When asked what he knew about the new show, Carell first joked, teasing audiences by saying “Yeah, I don’t know if you know this, it’s gonna be all the original cast. I’m in it.”
Carell has already confirmed he won’t be appearing in the new show, but said he will be watching as a fan. The actor then discussed Domhnall Gleeson landing the co-leading role (alongside Sabrina Impacciatore). Gleeson and Carell had previously worked together on FX’s thriller series The Patient, and Carell revealed that Gleeson actually called him before accepting the role. Carell said:
“I know Domhnall Gleeson, who I did The Patient with, is going to be one of the leads. I know that for sure. And he’s an excellent actor. He actually called me and asked, ‘Should I do this? Did you enjoy it?'”
Will the Original The Office Cast Appear in the New Show?
Despite Peacock’s The Office reboot doing everything to separate itself from the original series, the only question on fans’ minds is if the original cast will appear in the new show. While Carell has definitively ruled out appearing in the new series, some of the original cast members have left the door open. John Krasinski (who played Jim Halpert in the original) is the latest to address the subject. Unlike Carell, Krasinski is open to returning, and is currently working with Domhnall Gleeson on a new project outside the Dunder Mifflin Universe. Krasinski said:
“As of now, I haven’t been asked. But the truth is I’d do anything for Greg Daniels. Sounds like they have a really fun idea. I’m actually working with Domhnall Gleeson right now on Guy Ritchie’s movie, and he’s so good.”
Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute) is also open to returning, although his answer was more skeptical than Krasinski’s. Wilson said he can’t imagine how his character could possibly appear in the new show. However, he then praised the show’s creator, Greg Daniels, and said he’d love to work with him again on the new series. Wilson said:
“Yeah, I don’t see how Dwight goes from Scranton to wherever they’re shooting it in the Midwest. But, you know, if Greg [Daniels] wants me to do something, I’m happy to do something.”
