Steve Carell Opts Out of New ‘Office’ Spinoff: Prefers Watching from Afar

Steve Carell Wont Show Up in New Spinoff of The Office I Will Be Watching

Steve Carell Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Steve Carell, who portrayed Michael Scott in The Office for seven seasons, confirmed that he will not be making a cameo in the upcoming spinoff of the show. He mentioned that he will be watching the new series, but there is no need for his character to appear in it. Carell, 61, shared this information with The Hollywood Reporter during the premiere of his new film IF on Monday, May 13.

He expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming series and praised its intriguing concept. The spinoff, created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, centers around a Midwestern newspaper's efforts to rejuvenate with the assistance of volunteer journalists.

Featuring Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore, the show takes place in the same universe as Dunder Mifflin, with a documentary crew filming the newspaper's workplace interactions. The title for the series, which will be available on Peacock, has not been revealed yet.

Daniels, who helped bring The Office to American audiences while working with NBC, set up a development room in January to start working on the project. The U.S. version of the popular British comedy premiered in 2005, featuring stars like Steve Carell, Mindy Kaling, John Krasinski, Rainn Wilson, B.J. Novak, Jenna Fischer, and others who became famous during the show's nine seasons.

Even though Daniels is stepping away from the world of Scranton and its paper salesman, some of the original cast members have hinted that they would be open to returning for a potential reboot.

Kinsey, aged 52, mentioned on the “Office Ladies” podcast in January that she would be up for reprising her role as Angela Martin in a possible Office movie.

Fischer, aged 50, who portrayed Pam Beesly, expressed her interest in the project as long as Greg Daniels is leading the way. She stated, "As long as Greg is writing it and he’s in charge of it, then I say yes."

Brian Baumgartner, known for his role as Kevin Malone, recently shared his thoughts with We in an exclusive interview. He mentioned that if Greg Daniels, the creator, was on board, he would definitely be interested in a reunion. Baumgartner expressed his belief that the cast will eventually come together again, although there are no immediate plans for it.

Editor's P/S:

Steve Carell's absence from the upcoming Office spinoff is both understandable and disappointing. His iconic portrayal of Michael Scott remains a beloved character, and his presence would have undoubtedly added a nostalgic charm to the new series. However, Carell's decision to focus on his own projects and let the spinoff stand on its own merits is a testament to his respect for the original show and its legacy.

The spinoff's intriguing concept and talented cast offer hope that it can capture the same magic as The Office. The newspaper setting provides a fresh backdrop for workplace comedy, while the return of a documentary crew adds a meta layer that could lead to hilarious moments. The potential involvement of original cast members in future projects also keeps the door open for a satisfying reunion that could appease fans craving a return to Dunder Mifflin.