The History of "The Office"

In The Beginning

...Ricky Gervais was an entertainment manager in a university student union. He had worked amongst the intoxicated and hormone-ridden students for seven years when he managed to blag his way into being employed as Head of Speech at Xfm [A London-based radio station]. Apparently overwhelmed by work (in reality he just didn't have a clue), Ricky requested an assistant which arrived in the form of 'lanky, goggle-eyed freak' Stephen Merchant.

Stephen, undertaking a production training course at the BBC, was given the assignment of filming a project. As luck would have it, Ricky had been perfecting a character called Seedy Boss since his time at the S.U. In June 1998, the pair filmed a 20 minute demo tape of the project largely based around this character, which they submitted to the BBC. Justifiably impressed and with a lot more to go on than just a script on paper, the BBC commissioned Ricky and Stephen to write a full pilot episode. As it was filmed in 'mockumentary' style, it was crucial that the actors were relatively unknown (but obviously with the professional ability to act).

Martin Freeman originally read for the part of Gareth unsuccessfully, but found a more suitable role in Tim. It would take a courageous man to fill the shoes of 'weasel-faced arse' Gareth, especially since Ricky and Stephen had very specific ideas about the type of person who would be cast. They, Stephen especially, were looking for a sort of 'Norm' from US sit-com Cheers character, possibly somewhat obese and a hardcore army man to boot. Mackenzie Crook got three call-backs and unbeknownst to him, Stephen took some convincing that he was the man for the job. Ricky was relatively assured, exploring the possibilities of what Mackenzie more often than not, could get away with due to his 'bird-like' appearance. Lucy Davis, daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott but a fine actress in her own right, was cast for the part of Dawn. Ricky and Stephen had the final say in all castings and Ricky, swimming in a sea of actors with talent and academic training, became the notorious, chilled-out entertainer David Brent.

During The Middle

Series one of The Office, which first broadcast in July 2001, was very similar to the pilot episode with only a couple of sequences left out. The inspiration was Ricky's own experience of working in the (usually student-surrounded) office. Ricky and Stephen were also creatively influenced by sitcoms such as Laurel and Hardy (some parallels can be drawn between theirs and Tim and Gareth's relationship), Spinal Tap and Larry Sanders. Ricky and Stephen put The Office's success down to issues that people can relate to at work universally; boredom, lack of ambition, office flirtations. It was not a conscious decision to base the office around the paper industry, which is why very little of the storyline concerns this.

The theme tune 'Handbags and Gladrags' accompanying the credits was written by Mike D'Abo and sung by a musician called Fin (and usually quite badly by the respective viewer). The opening scene was the only filming to be done in Slough. All episodes were filmed in an unused office in Teddington Studios. Slough was thought to be a little too lively.

After the success of the first series, we were treated to a second series which aired in September 2002, and followed the merge between Swindon and Slough branches of the paper merchants. This was deemed to be the last we saw of our beloved Office until two Christmas specials were commissioned to tie up all loose ends, and broadcast in December 2003. Filming them in the height of summer proved a challenge in some aspects, as did the fact that one half of the love story, the character of Dawn, had gone to live in Florida. These obstacles were overcome by (a) not filming any summer blossom and (b) in true documentary style, inviting Dawn and fiancé Lee back to England for the Christmas party. It was thought that, after the specials, there was nowhere else for the plot to head. The happy ending surely would have unravelled otherwise. And the rest, as they say, is a mystery.

After The End

When the computers were switched off and the phones stopped ringing, The Office was concluded but never forgotten. Ricky and Stephen have been rewarded for all their blood, sweat and laughter with a record number of awards which reflects The Office's appeal to a wide audience. No less than 6 BAFTA's, 4 British Comedy Awards, 2 prestigious Golden Globes and the US award, The Peabody. The Office has even been re-made in the US, although it is debateable whether our British humour translates well in American culture.

Unknowns no more, we shall always be fond of The Office's characters and the actors which made it possible. But what of them?

Ricky Gervais (David Brent) and Stephen Merchant (the once-seen Ogmonster) have written, directed and starred in their second sitcom, Extras (pictured left). Mackenzie Crook (Gareth Keenan) has enjoyed huge success starring in The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino and the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. He also joined Christian Slater in the theatre adaptation of One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest and had a main role in Sex Lives of the Potato Men. Martin Freeman (Tim Canterbury) has appeared in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and alongside Stephen Mangan, Jessica Stevenson and fellow Office actor Vincent Franklin (course trainer Rowan) in Confetti. He also stars in Breaking and Entering with Jude Law. Lucy Davis (Davis Tinsley) has starred in spoof horror Shaun of the Dead and in Sex Lives of the Potato Men alongside Mackenzie.

Aside from the main characters we've all grown to know and love, the other familiar faces have also gone on to enjoy success in other roles: Patrick Baladi (Bodies, Bridget Jones 2, Alpha Male), Oliver Chris (also in BJ2), Olivia Colman (Confetti) and Sally Bretton... (all three were in Green Wing), Ewen Macintosh (Lead Balloon) and Stirling Gallacher (both Little Britain, with Stirling also appearing in Alpha Male), Joel Beckett (Eastenders) and Ralph Ineson (Coronation Street).

Although Ricky was the only one not to have acted before, The Office has been a benchmark and a fond memory to all the starring actors.