When you think of The Office US, the first image that likely pops into your head is Steve Carell's unforgettable portrayal of the love-to-hate boss of Dunder Mifflin, Michael Scott. The American sitcom, which was based on the UK series starring Ricky Gervais and Mackenzie Crook, enjoyed a much longer run with nine seasons compared to the UK version's two. The debate over which series is superior continues to be one of the most-Googled questions about the two shows.
However, it may come as a surprise to learn that The US Office could have looked very different. On the Office Ladies podcast, hosted by US Office co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk dropped a bombshell about the show's casting. READ MORE: Louis Theroux issues update amid ongoing health battle READ MORE: Quizzing has become a national pastime - with more than one in 10 saying they're 'dedicated quizzer' Before he became known for his iconic role as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad, Odenkirk revealed that he was actually in the running for the role of Michael Scott, which eventually went to Carell.
Despite being a comedic actor himself, Odenkirk admitted that Carell was "better at being genuinely fun." If he had been cast, Odenkirk believes his portrayal of Michael Scott would have been more "earnest". "I am, in a strange way, a very earnest person for a person in comedy," he said on the podcast, reports the Mirror .
"I think I bring with me a little bit too much.