Amazon orders Australian version of The Office with female lead

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 01 June 2023

Felicity Ward will take on the David Brent role in an Australian version of The Office, it is announced.

Amazon's Prime Video service has ordered an Australian version of The Office with a female lead.

The comedy was a rare success on both sides of Atlantic, with Ricky Gervais's original and the US remake starring Steve Carell earning millions of fans around the globe and still proving to be a huge hit on streaming services.

Taking on the David Brent role in the new show is Felicity Ward, an Aussie comedian mainly known for her work on sketch shows and stand-up, as well as a role in The Inbetweeners 2.

Ward will play Hannah Howard, the managing director of packaging company Flinley Craddick who learns that head office are planning to shut down her branch and make everyone work from home. In response, she goes into survival mode, making promises she can't keep in order to keep her "work family" together.

"I'm very excited about Australia remaking my little show from the turn of the century," said Gervais. "Office politics have changed a bit in 20 years, so can't wait to see how they navigate a modern-day David Brent."

The eight-part series will be filmed this month and next in Sydney before premiering on Prime Video in 2024.

Media Mole Low-Price Offer: Get Sky Entertainment, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £19 a month + £0 upfront fee for 18 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends 23rd May 2024