The Office was originally created in the U.K. but it was the U.S. version that stole the viewers’ hearts, between many other international versions. The popular sitcom ran for nine seasons between 2005 and 2013, and the series finale also included a beloved guest appearance.
The U.S. version of The Office followed the work lives of the employees of a paper company branch and had a big ensemble cast. The main cast consisted of Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and B. J. Novak. Carell, who played Michael Scott on the sitcom left at the end of Season 7 and had a guest appearance in the finale, but recent episode of Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey’s Office Ladies podcast (via CinemaBlend), the two revealed Carell was hesitant about returning as Michael in the finale.
The Office Ladies follows the two actresses, who played Pam and Angela, respectively, on the sitcom, rewatch the series and comment on the biggest moments. As the two reached the mockumentary show’s finale, they shared several details about them. One of them tackled Michael Scott’s return.
He felt like Michael’s story had really ended.
“Well, it was [series creator Greg Daniels] idea to have Steve come back,” Fisher explained. “He had wanted that for a very long time, and he asked him pretty early in Season 9. But Steve was reluctant. He felt like Michael’s story had really ended. He didn’t want to open it back up again, and he especially did not wanna come back after two years and have this finale episode be about him.”
Carell’s reasoning makes sense. Although many The Office fans consider Season 7’s finale as the show’s ending, and claim the mockumentary sitcom lost its magic after Michael Scott left, Carell’s character got a heartwarming finale.
The actress continued, “Steve really felt like, ‘My character had his ending. This is everybody else’s ending.’ And he didn’t wanna overshadow that. But then Greg had the idea of the final episode being Dwight and Angela’s wedding, and Steve agreed Michael would be there.”
Kinsey responded, “I believe that. I believe Michael would wanna be there for Dwight and Angela.”
The Office’s Finale Wouldn’t Been Complete Without Michael Scott
The sitcom had a slow start but became one of the most popular shows of all time, with fans rewatching the show often. However, most of them stop after Michael’s departure. Although Michael Scott had moved on after Season 7, he had been close to Dwight and he couldn’t have missed his wedding.
Carrel’s guest appearance on the final episode was well received and it was a pleasant surprise when he appeared. Although his return didn’t do much for the character’s overall arc, which had ended two seasons prior, he did get to say his iconic joke, “That’s what she said,” and his overall presence gave a rounded ending to one of the most popular shows of all time.
All nine seasons of The Office are streaming on Peacock.
