Iconic BBC comedy The Office has celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a new special, which saw Martin Freeman and Mackenzie Crook reunite for the first time in 15 years.
Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the mockumentary followed staff at fictional paper company Wernham Hogg in Slough and made household names of many of its stars.
After two series and a Christmas Special, the show came to an end in 2003, and went on to spawn a hugely successful US series, which ran for nine seasons.
Remember… The Office offered fans a glimpse at Martin and Mackenzie’s careers since the show, and some stars have indeed gone on to have impressive career upgrades with big roles in Hollywood films.
However, others have been less successful, even battling bankruptcy after appearing in the show.
So with the doors to Wernham Hogg now closed for more than two decades, here’s how stars of The Office have fared since the cameras stopped rolling…
Iconic BBC comedy The Office has celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a new special, which saw Martin Freeman and Mackenzie Crook reunite for the first time in 15 years
Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant , the mockumentary followed staff at fictional paper company Wernham Hogg in Slough and made household names of many of its stars
Ricky Gervais (David Brent)
Ricky, 65, created The Office alongside Stephen Merchant and the pair also co-directed the series.
The funnyman played the role of the world’s most cringeworthy manager, David Brent who is best known for his bizarre motivational speeches and awful dancing – a character he revived for a 2016 film.
In fact, Ricky’s iconic dance in the show has been voted as its greatest moment, and during the anniversary special.
To mark the occasion a bust of David Brent has been unveiled at a Premier Inn in Slough, with the hotel acting as the place where the original Office paper company Wernham Hogg stood.
After ending the series on a high, the pals went on to create and star in series Extras, where Ricky played a supporting artist and Stephen his hapless agent. And despite its huge success they again only decided to make two series.
They then joined forces to create a vehicle for Warwick Davis with Life’s Too Short which lasted for one season.
Known for his role as manager David Brent, Ricky Gervais co-created the series alongside Stephen Merchant
Since then Ricky has branched out by himself and has become one of the world’s most famous and successful comedians
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Since then Ricky has branched out by himself and has become one of the world’s most famous and successful comedians.
After a stint in films including The Invention of Lying and Night At The Museum franchise, he created Netflix sitcom After Life, winning numerous awards for his acting and writing.
He has hosted the Golden Globes five times and numerous comedy specials and is believed to be worth a whopping £100M.
Ricky has never shied away from towing the line with his stand-up shows, and he is set to go on tour next year with his most controversial set yet, featuring jokes on a raft of shocking taboo topics, including Jimmy Savile, suicide, and Hitler.
Despite being one of The Office’s main stars, Ricky declined to take part in the BBC’s Anniversary Special, and has instead announced he is recording his own that will be released on his YouTube channel.
Mackenzie Crook (Gareth Keenan)
Mackenzie, 54, played the role of jobsworth and boss’ pet Gareth Keenan in the popular series – and his character was hardly the epitome of cool style.
Bumbling around the Wernham-Hogg office in oversized suits as he sucked up to Gervais’s David Brent, Gareth Keenan was the butt of most jokes in the workplace – notably being pranked in the pilot episode when co-worker and arch-rival Tim put his stapler into a plate of jelly.
Following The Office, he has since showcased his talent behind the scenes and secured a BAFTA nod for his own BBC comedy The Detectorists which ran from 2014 to 2022.
Mackenzie played the role of jobsworth and boss’ pet Gareth Keenan in the hysterical series
Following The Office, he has since showcased his talent behind the scenes and secured a BAFTA nod for his own BBC comedy The Detectorist which ran from 2014 to 2022
The actor also appeared in the Pirates of The Caribbean franchise as no-good seaman Ragetti – and carved out a new image as a rugged wayfairer.
Elsewhere, he popped up in Game Of Thrones’ third season as a Warg (a character with the ability to enter the minds of animals) before taking on the iconic role of Worzel Gummidge in the 2019 remake.
Mackenzie reunited with Martin to appear in The Office reunion special, with the pair admitting it was the first time they’d been together for over a decade.
Martin Freeman (Tim Canterbury)
Martin, 54, played the role of lovable office worker Tim who eventually found love with co-worker Dawn (Lucy Davis) in the finale after two series of will-they-won’t-they tension.
Since then Martin has cemented himself as a Hollywood star, appearing in a string of big-budget films.
Martin played the role of lovable office worker Tim who eventually found love with co-worker Dawn (Lucy Davis) in the finale
Since then Martin has cemented himself as a Hollywood star, appearing in a string of big-budget films
Following his appearance as Dr John Watson alongside Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock in the BBC series, he was cast as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit movies, which grossed a whopping £1B at the box office.
He then went on to play Everett K. Ross in Marvel movies Black Panther and it’s sequel Wakanda Forever which themselves raked in an incredible £200M.
Martin also earned critical praise for his turn as PC Chris Carson in BBC drama The Responder, earning a BAFTA nomination in 2023.
He also had a leading role in the Sky comedy Breeders, which concluded with its fourth series in 2023.
While Martin was known for his role as awkward Tim, he has undoubtedly undergone an impressive glow-up since appearing on the show.
He’s bulked out for his recent role in Miller’s Girl, displaying noticeably bigger biceps in X-rated scenes with co-star Jenna Ortega, 21, that have been branded ‘gross’ by viewers who were left horrified by their 31-year age gap.
Wednesday star Jenna plays 18-year-old student Cairo Sweet in the black comedy drama, while Martin takes on the role of her teacher Jonathan Miller.
The film sees the two getting tangled in a very complex and inappropriate relationship, with Cairo choosing to pen a sex story after being given a creative writing assignment by Jonathan.
Raunchy scenes from this story are then played out on screen by Jenna and Martin – leaving viewers in uproar over the ‘uncomfortable’ age gap.
Lucy Davis (Dawn Tilsley)
Lucy made a name for herself as receptionist Dawn who pined for her co-worker Tim, leaving fans begging for them to get together.
The daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott, she promptly left Blighty and headed off to work across the pond.
Lucy has popped up with appearances in Wonder Woman, Ugly Betty, Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Brit zombie flick Shaun Of The Dead.
She also played Eva in Disney Channel’s action comedy series The Villains of Valley View, which premiered in 2022.
She has since settled in LA and looks almost unrecognisable after taking up weightlifting following her battle with bulimia.
Lucy made a name for herself as receptionist Dawn who pined for her co-worker Tim, leaving fans begging for them to get together
She has since settled in LA and looks almost unrecognisable after taking up weightlifting following her battle with bulimia (pictured in 2021)
Lucy previously opened up about her experience with bulimia, which was at its worst when she was going through her divorce from husband Owain Yeoman in 2011.
She said during a 2017 interview with The Telegraph that after years of living with an eating disorder she’s realised that ‘whatever your body’s meant to be, it will figure itself out… it’s been a journey’.
‘In my 30s, I would have hated to look like this,’ she added. ”I probably wouldn’t have gone out much. I’d diet for a week and then eat all the food I hadn’t consumed in the previous seven days in a single day.’
The actress, who even enrolled in Overeaters Anonymous, went on: ‘Now, I think I’m just normal. But my head didn’t think that then. This period of binge and purge was at its worst when my marriage came to an end.’
Ewen MacIntosh (Keith Bishop)
Ewen became a fan-favourite as Keith, the straight talking office employee who left viewers in stitches.
But the actor sadly died in 2023 at the age of just 50, with his passing confirmed on by JustRight Management.
The company posted on their X account: ‘With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved comedy genius Ewen MacIntosh.
‘His family thank all who supported him, especially Willow Green Care Home. There will be a private cremation for family & close friends soon & a celebratory memorial later in the year.’
Ewen became a fan-favourite as Keith, the straight talking office employee who left viewers in stitches
But the actor sadly died in 2023 at the age of just 50, with his passing confirmed on by JustRight Management
Tributes poured in for the TV star, with his co-star Ricky Gervais writing: ‘Extremely sad news. The very funny and very lovely Ewen Macintosh, known to many as ‘Big Keith’ from The Office, has passed away. An absolute original. RIP.’
Ed Scott wrote: ‘I am completely devastated by the loss of my very good friend Ewen MacIntosh.
‘He may have had a famous face known by millions as Keith from The Office but the person inside is what I will most remember.’
Mr Scott, the CEO of Dodged A Bullet Music, added: ‘Ewen was so full of empathy, kindness, and integrity and above all a really good man.
‘Sending love to his parents Sara and Ewen Sr, his brother Colin and his family, as well as his many friends and fans.
Despite only limited screen time his memorable performance led to roles in EastEnders, Little Britain and The Lobster opposite Olivia Colman and Colin Farrell.
He also reprised the character in the 2016 David Brent movie and starred in Ricky’s Netflix series After Life.
However he also hit on hard times and in 2016 was forced to declare bankruptcy.
Despite mostly working behind the screen as co-writer and co-director Stephen, 51, also played the brief role of Oggy the Oggmonster – a visitor to the office
Stephen has since written and appeared in a string of films and TV series, and he also wrote and directed the acclaimed wrestling film Fighting With My Family
Stephen Merchant (Oggy)
Despite mostly working behind the screen as co-writer and co-director Stephen, 51, also played the brief role of Oggy the Oggmonster – a visitor to the office.
Since then he, alongside Ricky, developed travel show An Idiot Abroad starring their pal Karl Pilkington.
He has also ventured into stand-up with his hit show Hello Ladies and created BBC One comedy-drama The Outlaws which he also stars.
Not to be outdone by Ricky, Stephen has also appeared in a string of big budget movies including Logan, Jojo Rabbit, as well as TV hits Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory.
Stephen also wrote and directed the acclaimed wrestling film Fighting With My Family, which told the story of WWE superstar Paige, and helped launch the career of star Florence Pugh.
Ralph starred as the show’s main baddie, slimy travelling businessman Chris Finch who was also known as Finchy (pictured with Ricky in the show)
Despite appearances in Game Of Thrones, critically acclaimed horror The Witch (pictured) and Corrie, Ralph revealed he was fed up of being type cast
Ralph Ineson (Chris Finch)
Ralph, 56, starred as the show’s main baddie, slimy travelling businessman Chris Finch who was also known as Finchy.
The actor, was later cast as an equally horrible character as one of Lord Voldemort’s Death Eaters, Amycus Carrow, in the final three Harry Potter movies.
Despite appearances in Game Of Thrones, critically acclaimed horror The Witch and Corrie, Ralph revealed he was fed up of being type cast after making a name for himself in the BBC sitcom.
He told The Daily Mail in 2021: ‘To say I’m tired of every part I’ve played for the last 20 years being cross-referenced with Finchy would be an understatement.’
Neil featured on the first episode of The Office being interviewed for a warehouse position
Since 2023 he has played Neil Guthrie in the BBC drama Waterloo Road
Neil Fitzmaurice (Alex)
Neil featured on the first episode of The Office being interviewed for a warehouse position by David Brent.
He played the same character in episode six, but this time to be given a notice of redundancy by Brent.
After his time on The Office, he went on to do a range of acting roles including in well known shows such as Phoenix Nights, Holby City and Peep Show.
Neil has also written for some of the hit shows he’s starred in, and since 2023 he has played Neil Guthrie in the BBC drama Waterloo Road.
Sally Bretton featured in four episodes in The Office as Donna, an intern taken on by Brent
But she is best known for her role as Lucy Adams in the BBC sitcom Not Going Out since 2007, where she appears alongside comedian and The 1% Club host Lee Mack
Sally Bretton (Donna)
Sally featured in four episodes in The Office as Donna, an intern taken on by Brent.
But she is best known for her role as Lucy Adams in the BBC sitcom Not Going Out since 2007, where she appears alongside comedian and The 1% Club host Lee Mack.
She is also famous for playing Martha Lloyd in the BBC1 crime drama Death in Paradise between 2016 and 2017, a role she reprised in the spin-off Beyond Paradise in 2023.
Julie is an actress and model known for her role as Brenda in The Office
Since April 2022, she has been working full time as an Access Coordinator, having used a wheelchair since birth after being born with osteogenesis imperfect
Julie Fernandez (Brenda)
Julie is an actress and model known for her role as Brenda in The Office.
As Brenda used a wheelchair, she was frequently left rolling her eyes by David’s ill-advised attempts to be inclusive.
But since April 2022, she has been working full time as an Access Coordinator, having used a wheelchair since birth after being born with osteogenesis imperfecta.
She now works for Casarotto Ramsay & Associates as an agent to represent, train and develop talent, supporting people with access requirements across the film, television and theatre industries.
Joel played warehouse worker Lee in The Office, a character particularly disliked by viewers due to his controlling relationship with receptionist Dawn
Joel is also known for his role as Jake Moon in EastEnders and appeared in 167 episodes of the soap during his original run from 2004 to 2006, before reprising his role earlier this year
Joel Beckett (Lee)
Joel played warehouse worker Lee in The Office, a character partcularly disliked by viewers due to his controlling relationship with receptionist Dawn.
Fans rejoiced when Dawn finally ended her relationship with Joel in the Christmas Special finale, meaning she and Tim could finally get together.
Joel is also known for his role as Jake Moon in EastEnders and appeared in 167 episodes of the soap during his original run from 2004 to 2006.
He has since reprised the role, most recently this year to reunite with his longtime love Chrissie Watts.
Joel has also appeared in other popular series such as Holby City and Band of Brothers.
In 2005 he also featured in the film Green Street as a pub landlord.
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