Felicity Ward
Prime Video has ordered an Australian adaptation of BBC Studios’ scripted comedy format “The Office,” with the first-ever female lead for the franchise. Actor and comedian Felicity Ward will star in the series as Hannah Howard, the managing director of packaging company Flinley Craddick.
In the story, when Hannah gets news from head office that they will be shutting down her branch and making everyone work from home, she goes into survival mode, making promises she cannot keep in order to keep her “work family” together. Production on the eight-part Australian Amazon original series will commence in Sydney, Australia, in June, with filming to take place over eight weeks. Also starring are Edith Poor, Steen Raskopoulos, Shari Sebbens, Josh Thomson, Pallavi Sharda and Susan Lung Young.
“The Office Australia” is a co-production between BBC Studios ANZ, part of BBC Studios International Production and Formats division, Bunya Entertainment, and Amazon Studios. Julie De Fina is the head writer and will executive produce alongside Jackie van Beek and Kylie Washington, while Sophia Zachariou, Linda Micsko and Greet Simpkin serve as lead producers.
The Australian adaptation is the 13th iteration of the show that was originally created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Other international retreads have included those in France, Canada, Chile, Israel, and the Middle East.
“I’m very excited about Australia remaking my little show from the turn of the century. Office politics have changed a bit in 20 years, so I cannot wait to see how they navigate a modern-day David Brent” Gervais commented.
“‘The Office’ has connected with audiences around the world because everyone recognises their own David Brent, and now it is Australia’s turn. We figured the world is ready for a lovable, flawed, lady boss, ruling over her packaging empire in ‘The Office Australia,’” added Kylie Washington, General Manager and Creative Director, Production at BBC Studios ANZ.