Fans are divided after the first trailer of dropped today. While many are excited to see an Aussie take on the classic UK and US shows, others weren't so keen. The show, which premieres on October 18, is the thirteenth version of the franchise and is the first to feature a female lead, with Aussie comedian Felicity Ward taking on a version of the middle-manager role originated by Ricky Gervais and Steve Carrell in the UK and US versions, respectively.
Felicity plays Hannah Howard, managing director of packaging company Flinley Craddick, who “goes into survival mode making promises she can’t keep in order to keep her ‘work family’ together” when she finds out her branch is being shut down. The upcoming series features an ensemble of Australian and New Zealand comedy talent alongside Felicity Ward, including Edith Poor, Steen Raskopoulos, Shari Sebbens, Josh Thomson, Jonny Brugh, Susan Ling Young, Raj Labade, Lucy Schmidt, Zoe Terakes, Pallavi Sharda and Claude Jabbour. Susie Youssef, Justin Rosniiak, Carlo Ritchie, Rick Donald and Chris Bunton will also feature in guest roles.
"This is going to be amazing!!! We can't wait to see it!" one YouTube user wrote. "I'm excited, looks great," another said. "Well was a copy of , much like this is a copy of US, so I'm willing to see what they've got," a third said.
Some were very enthusiastic, with Kiwi actress Rachel House writing on Instagram, "OH MY F*^K!!!!!! Can't wait." "This looks so f***ing good. Well done.
Great casting choices," Yvie Jones said. "Felicity Ward is the absolute perfect choice for this role," another said. "The trailer looks great.
" Some compared the show to the Aussie series Utopia, which starred Kitty Flanagan and Celia Pacquola and was set in the offices of a new government organisation responsible for overseeing major infrastructure projects. "We had our 'version of' – Utopia. And it was awesome," one YouTube user said.
"This looks like our attempt at the US trying to do Kath and Kim." "I don't wanna be part of the pile-on here, but this does not look great," another said. "We already have Utopia, and this doesn't look even remotely close as good.
" "This is the Raygun version of ," one person joked. "I will give this a chance because I want to support Australian actors but I’m worried," another said. "I’m very, very worried.
" "This looks good!! Boring opinion to compare it to UK/US. Everyone thought the same about the US version when it first aired," another pointed out. "It's its own show.
Looking forward to watching it." "Why are yall so upset? I honestly wanna watch this because I love and I'd love to see any new things that they come up with," yet another said. While fans may be sceptical about the idea of an Aussie adaption, the eight-part series has already received Ricky Gervais’ tick of approval.
“I’m very excited about Australia remaking my little show from the turn of the century,” he said in a statement from Prime Video alongside the series announcement last year. “Office politics have changed a bit in 20 years, so can’t wait to see how they navigate a modern-day David Brent.” Speaking with at the 2024 Logie Awards, Felicity says she believes the Australian version of will stand out from the UK and US versions.
“I think it has the warmth of the American [series],” she details. “The British have a very specific humour and I don't even think they're the same show, and I feel like the Australian one has its own thing as well. “It feels absolutely like you're watching , but it's the first female boss.
You never, ever get to see female comedy characters who are incompetent, and it is a joy to be an incompetent d**khead every day.” Felicity adds that she doesn’t currently feel any pressure to match the success of the international versions - although this may change as the release date approaches. “At the moment we're starting fresh, but come speak to me a week before it comes out and then I'll just be wearing brown underpants,” she laughs.
“But apart from that, what are you gonna do? We had a great time, I think it's a great show, I laughed every single day, and I got to meet Shari Sebbens. What could you want from a successful show, apart from new friendships?”.
