The Office: Bob Odenkirk Reveals He Lost Michael Scott Role to Steve Carell

The Office: Bob Odenkirk Reveals He Lost Michael Scott Role to Steve Carell

As a huge fan of “The Office,” I can’t help but be intrigued by the behind-the-scenes stories of how the iconic show came together. One such story involves Bob Odenkirk, who nearly landed the role of Michael Scott before Steve Carell ultimately got the part.


In the realm of iconic sitcom characters, Michael Scott played by Steve Carell from “The Office” stands out magnificently. Known for his domineering yet polite demeanor, Carell portrayed the regional manager of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch for an impressive seven seasons. His exceptional acting in this workplace comedy catapulted his career into A-list Hollywood status. Initially, however, Carell wasn’t a shoo-in for the part; instead, he faced competition from Bob Odenkirk.

In the most recent episode of the “Office Ladies” podcast featuring Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, Bryan Cranston shared his belief about why he didn’t get the part: his sincere demeanor isn’t ideal for comedy acting. “I genuinely am a quite earnest person in my comedic roles,” Cranson expressed on the podcast. “I’m oddly serious, and I believe Steve Carell was a more fitting choice.”

He remarked, “Perhaps I carry an excess of sincere gravity with me. It seems to be ever present. I can only utilize this trait in characters where it proves beneficial.”

Is Bob Odenkirk in The Office?

Despite not initially landing a major role on The Office for Odenkirk, he eventually made an appearance on the show. Towards the end of its final season, Pam Halpert (Fischer) interviewed for a job at a real estate firm in Philadelphia. In this company, the character Mark Franks was portrayed by Odenkirk.

After The Office ended, Greg Daniels has been busy creating a new workplace comedy. This potential series, named “The Paper,” takes place at a Midwestern small newspaper. Unfortunately, Steve Carell may not be part of this upcoming show.

He expressed his enthusiasm on late-night TV this year, commenting, “I’m looking forward to it; the concept seems intriguing. It’s about a struggling newspaper business, and I had the pleasure of collaborating with Domhnall Gleeson, who played a key role. He was fantastic in our production of ‘The Patient,’ and he’s not only an exceptional actor but also a wonderful person. So, I believe this project will be amazing.”

As a long-time fan of “The Office,” I’m thrilled to hear about the potential spin-off titled “The Paper.” Having spent years following the antics of Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch through the lens of the documentary crew, I can only imagine the rich stories that could emerge from a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and its determined publisher.

The Office is streaming in its entirety on Peacock. The Paper has yet to set a release date.

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2024-07-15 08:09