The Office is getting a female-led remake, with the beloved series set to get a new boss in the form of Felicity Ward.
Yep, the Australian comedian Ward will fill the loafers of David Brent and Michael Scott, the iconic characters brought to life by none other than Ricky Gervais and Steve Carrell respectively.
The new Australian version, the 13th international remake of the original BBC Studios series created by Gervais and Stephen Merchant, will be coming very soon, with the eight-part series set to start filming in Sydney this month.
But who is 42 year old actress Felicity Ward, and does she have what it takes to take on modern comedy television’s greatest role?
Here’s everything you need to know about the rising Aussie star.
Felicity Ward: Her hilarious career so far
While Ward, raised in Killcare, New South Whales, may not be known well outside of Australia, she is a regular TV star down under, appearing in hit series such as Spicks and Specks, Thank God You’re Here, Good News Week and The Ronnie Johns Half Hour, the latter of which she also wrote for as well as performed, formed by her comedy group the 3rd Degree.
It was on that show, a sketch comedy show that started back in 2005, that Ward first grabbed hold of the public eye, as the cult series, which ran for two seasons totaling 26 episodes from 05 to 06, was both award nominated and controversial, with serval sketches causing quite the stir back when they aired. That debate is a likely culprit in why the series was dropped from Channel 10 in 2006.
The comedian continued on with her 3rd Degree member Heath Franklin, performing a popular festival show over the next several years.
The tenured sketch comedian then followed that with a successful stand up career, debuting at the Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2008 with her first stand up show to instant buzz, winning the Melbourne Airport Award for Best Newcomer.
She’s continued debuting comedy shows regularly since, even taking the act to the UK’s Latitude Festival and Edinburgh Comedy Festival, two of the most prestigious in the art from
Has she been in any movies outside of Australia? You betcha. You may have seen her in The Inbetweeners 2 in 2015, the acclaimed second movie based on the beloved, and excellent, E4 series.
She’s also an advocate for mental health, and has been honest about battles she’s overcome throughout her career.
It even works its way into her comedy! Watch below.
She’s also a popular podcaster.
Who else will be in The Aussie Office?
Gervais himself has put his stamp of approval on the project, which has also added a number of popular down under talents.
“I’m very excited about Australia remaking my little show from the turn of the century,” said Gervais, co-creator, co-writer and star of the original U.K. version. “Office politics have changed a bit in 20 years, so can’t wait to see how they navigate a modern-day David Brent.”
The show will also include Edith Poor from The Power of the Dog, Steen Raskopoulos from The Duchess), Josh Thomson from Young Rock, Shari Sebbens from Thor: Love and Thunder, Jonny Brugh from the beloved series What We Do in the Shadows created by Taika Waititi, Pallavi Sharda from The Twelve, Susan Ling Young from Hungry Ghosts, newcomers Raj Labadeand Lucy Schmit, as well as Firass Dirani from Underbelly.
How and when you can watch the new Australian Office remake
Will you have a chance to see the show outside of Australia, you ask? Great question! The show will actually be coming to Prime Video as an Amazon Original in 2024, though it won’t be available in the United States.
The show is produced by Prime Video, BBC Studios Australia, and New Zealand and Bunya Entertainment.
Anyways, while we wait, let’s watch some of the best boss ever, a crown that Ward will hopefully be able to take on for herself though she has her work cut out for her: Michael Scott.
Or why not the Saudi version, while we’re here?
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