On October 18, Amazon Prime Video will launch a new version of “The Office” set in Australia. The popular mockumentary series was created in the UK by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant and adapted for US audiences. This latest iteration will be available worldwide on Amazon’s streaming service.
The Australian adaptation takes place at Flinley Craddick, a packaging company in Sydney. Hannah Howard leads the workplace comedy as the boss. In previous versions of the show, characters like David Brent in the UK and Michael Scott in the US filled this role as inept managers trying to connect with their employees. Howard’s character promises to deliver the same awkward and entertaining moments fans have come to enjoy.
Supporting Howard is an ensemble cast portraying a range of familiar archetypes. Edith Poor plays Lizze, the receptionst who sees herself as a productivity expert. Steen Raskopoulos and Shari Sebbens portray Nick and Greta, whose will-they-won’t-they relationship mirrors past couples in the series.
Writers Julie De Fina and Jackie van Beek developed the Australian version specifically for local audiences. Executive producers Kylie Washington and Sophia Zachariou lend their experience producing other successful Australian shows. This suggests the adaptation will have a blend of universal workplace humor and a distinct Australian perspective.
While the series launches globally, U.S. viewers cannot watch it initially on Amazon Prime Video. This may lead some dedicated fans to use VPNs to access the show from other countries.
With female leadership and Australian comedy, this iteration aims to establish its own identity while honoring the standards set by previous Office adaptations in places like Canada, Britain, Germany and India. The Australian version of “The Office” hopes to offer a fresh take on office antics when it premieres episodes this October.
