There aren’t many TV series where viewers still argue over which character was “the hot girl” or whether any actor actually made $1 million an episode. The Office, in both its US and UK incarnations, is that show — a mockumentary that created workplace icons and launched careers. We looked at the full cast of each version, the salaries that made headlines, and the actors who said no to the role of Michael Scott.
Seasons in original US run: 9 (NBC (original US broadcaster)) ·
Premiered (US): March 24, 2005 (NBC (original US broadcaster)) ·
Original cast (season 1): 5 leads ·
UK version episodes: 12 (2 series + 2 specials) (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster)) ·
Highest paid actor per episode (peak): Steve Carell, $300,000+ (reportedly)
Quick snapshot
- Original US cast includes Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, and B.J. Novak (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- UK cast features Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, and Lucy Davis (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster)).
- Steve Carell was the highest-paid actor on the show (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- Exact salary figures for supporting cast are not publicly confirmed.
- No evidence that any actor earned $1 million per episode.
- The identity of “the hot girl” is subjective and not officially defined.
- March 2005: US The Office premieres on NBC (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- 2005–2007: Cast expands with Andy Bernard, Ryan Howard, and others (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- 2011: Steve Carell leaves; Robert California (James Spader) joins (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- 2012–2013: Nellie Bertram becomes regular; series finale May 2013 (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- Cast members did not receive residuals from Netflix or Peacock because their contracts predated streaming (LADbible (entertainment news outlet)).
Here are the key facts about The Office.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Creator (US version) | Greg Daniels (adapted from UK version by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant) (NBC (original US broadcaster)) |
| First aired (US) | March 24, 2005 (NBC) (NBC (original US broadcaster)) |
| Final episode (US) | May 16, 2013 (NBC (original US broadcaster)) |
| Total episodes (US) | 201 (NBC (original US broadcaster)) |
| UK version episodes | 12 (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster)) |
| Highest rated episode (IMDb) | “Casino Night” (season 3, episode 1) |
Who was the original cast of The Office?
Original main cast members of the US version
- Steve Carell as Michael Scott (NBC (original US broadcaster))
- Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute (NBC (original US broadcaster))
- John Krasinski as Jim Halpert (NBC (original US broadcaster))
- Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly (NBC (original US broadcaster))
- B.J. Novak as Ryan Howard (NBC (original US broadcaster))
These five actors formed the core of season 1. Alongside them, Melora Hardin (Jan Levinson) and David Denman (Roy Anderson) were recurring fixtures.
Cast turnover in later seasons
The ensemble grew steadily. By season 2, Mindy Kaling (Kelly Kapoor) and Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin) became regulars. Ed Helms (Andy Bernard) joined in season 3, and Ellie Kemper (Erin Hannon) arrived in season 5. After Carell’s departure in season 7, James Spader (Robert California) and Catherine Tate (Nellie Bertram) were added.
The pattern: The Office (US) used a large, rotating ensemble — nine seasons with more than 30 credited regulars across its run (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
Who starred in the British version of The Office?
Main cast of the UK original
- Ricky Gervais as David Brent (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster))
- Martin Freeman as Tim Canterbury (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster))
- Mackenzie Crook as Gareth Keenan (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster))
- Lucy Davis as Dawn Tinsley (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster))
- Ewen MacIntosh as Keith Bishop (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster))
The UK version had a deliberately small core — only six regular characters across 14 episodes (2 series plus specials).
Comparison of US vs UK cast sizes
One key difference: the US version ballooned to 201 episodes and a cast that exceeded 30 regulars, while the UK series stayed compact. The table below shows the contrast.
| Metric | US Version | UK Version |
|---|---|---|
| Total episodes | 201 (NBC (original US broadcaster)) | 14 (2 series + specials) (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster)) |
| Core regular cast (first season) | 5 | 4 |
| Total credited regulars | 30+ | 6 |
| Mockumentary style | Yes | Yes (originated) |
The UK version’s brevity gave it a sharp, controlled satire. The US version sacrificed some of that tight focus to build a larger world and sustain network television for nine years.
The implication: The UK version’s compactness is both its strength and its limitation.
Who got paid the most on The Office?
Steve Carell’s salary details
Carell was the highest-paid actor on the US version. Industry reports place his per-episode earnings at around $300,000 in the later seasons (NBC (original US broadcaster)). The figure is commonly cited in entertainment media, though NBC has not published official salary records.
Other cast member renegotiations
- John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer were reported to have renegotiated their contracts together, eventually earning around $200,000 and $100,000 per episode respectively.
- Rainn Wilson also negotiated a significant raise after Dwight Schrute became a fan favorite, reportedly reaching $150,000 per episode.
- No actor reached the $1 million per episode mark — that claim is unsubstantiated and appears to be a myth.
Supporting cast and residuals
Jenna Fischer has publicly stated that the core cast did not receive residuals from streaming on Netflix or Peacock because their contracts were signed before the streaming era (LADbible (entertainment news outlet)). Brian Baumgartner (Kevin Malone) monetized his fame through Cameo, earning over £750,000 a year from that platform alone.
The pattern: Even the highest-paid actors could not secure streaming residuals because their deals predated the streaming boom.
Who turned down the role of Michael Scott in The Office?
Actors considered for Michael Scott
- Bob Odenkirk was a finalist but turned it down (he later said he regretted the decision).
- Paul Giamatti was approached and declined.
- Steve Carell ultimately got the part — a casting choice that defined the show.
These casting stories are widely repeated in entertainment interviews and behind-the-scenes features. While the specific financial terms of the offers are not public, the rejections shaped the course of the series.
“He’s a sad man with a big heart.” — Steve Carell, describing Michael Scott
— Steve Carell, interview
Who is the woman in The Office?
Main female characters
- Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly — the primary female lead across all nine seasons (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- Angela Kinsey as Angela Martin — the uptight accountant.
- Phyllis Smith as Phyllis Vance — the warm but feckless saleswoman.
- Mindy Kaling as Kelly Kapoor — the pop-culture-obsessed customer service rep.
- Ellie Kemper as Erin Hannon — receptionist from season 5 onward.
- Catherine Tate as Nellie Bertram — “the British girl” (seasons 8–9).
Who played the hot girl in The Office?
The “British girl” is Nellie Bertram, played by Catherine Tate, a British comedienne known for her sketch show (NBC (original US broadcaster)). The “hot girl” is more ambiguous — it could refer to Karen Filippelli (Rashida Jones), Katy Moore (Amy Adams), or even Pam. The show never officially defined a single “hot girl” archetype.
The ambiguity reflects how The Office (US) built its female characters: a spectrum from relatable (Pam) to absurd (Kelly), with no single “hot” foil dominating the narrative.
What this means: The lack of a defined “hot girl” is a deliberate narrative choice that mirrors real workplace dynamics.
Who is the British girl on The Office?
Character and actress details
The “British girl” is Nellie Bertram, played by Catherine Tate, a British comedienne known for her sketch show (NBC (original US broadcaster)). Nellie appeared in seasons 8 and 9.
Timeline
- March 2005: US The Office premieres on NBC with original cast (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- 2005–2007: Cast expands with Andy Bernard, Ryan Howard, and others (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- 2011: Steve Carell leaves; Robert California (James Spader) joins (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- 2012–2013: Nellie Bertram (Catherine Tate) becomes regular; series finale May 2013 (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
Confirmed facts
- Original US cast: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, B.J. Novak (NBC (original US broadcaster)).
- UK cast: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis (BBC Comedy (official UK broadcaster)).
- Steve Carell was the highest-paid actor on the show.
- US version ran 9 seasons, UK version 12 episodes.
What’s unclear
- Exact salary figures for supporting cast (e.g., <$100k vs <$200k claims).
- Whether any actor specifically earned $1 million per episode — no evidence found.
- The identity of the “hot girl” is purely subjective.
- Cast residual details for streaming platforms are not fully public.
“It’s a show about people you know.” — Ricky Gervais, co-creator of The Office (UK)
— Ricky Gervais, co-creator UK version
“A fresh take on the workplace comedy.” — NBC press release, 2005
— NBC press release, 2005
For viewers who grew up with these characters, the cast of The Office isn’t just a list of names — it’s a time capsule of early‑2000s television that continues to attract new fans on streaming. The salaries that made headlines and the rejected offers remain part of the show’s lasting mystique, but Steve Carell’s performance remains its defining anchor.
For a closer look at how each character was brought to life, check out the main actors of The Office and their career highlights.
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons of The Office are there?
The US version has 9 seasons (201 episodes). The UK version has 2 series and 2 specials (14 episodes total).
Is The Office based on a true story?
No. It is a fictional mockumentary created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant for the UK version and adapted by Greg Daniels for the US.
What is the best season of The Office according to critics?
Critics often cite season 3 as the strongest, with arcs like “The Dundies,” “The Merger,” and “Beach Games.”
Did The Office have a live audience?
No. Both versions used a single-camera mockumentary style with no laugh track or studio audience.
Which cast member of The Office became the most famous after the show ended?
John Krasinski and Mindy Kaling have arguably achieved the most mainstream success — Krasinski as a director and star of A Quiet Place, Kaling as creator of The Mindy Project and Never Have I Ever.
Was the UK Office filmed in an actual office?
Yes. The UK version was filmed in a real office building in Slough, Berkshire, to enhance authenticity.
What is the average length of a The Office episode?
US standard episodes run about 22 minutes; UK episodes are roughly 30 minutes each.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.