The Office (2001)
- TV sitcom
- BBC Two
- 2001 - 2003
- 14 episodes (2 series)
A BBC documentary team film the office of David Brent, manager from hell: he's tactless and talentless, yet somehow thinks everyone loves him. Stars Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis, Joel Beckett and more.
- Series 1, Episode 6 repeated Saturday at 9pm on U&Dave
Streaming rank this week: 208
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 1 - Downsize
Broadcast details
- Date
- Monday 9th July 2001
- Time
- 9:30pm
- Channel
- BBC Two
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
| Ricky Gervais | David Brent |
| Martin Freeman | Tim Canterbury |
| Mackenzie Crook | Gareth Keenan |
| Lucy Davis | Dawn Tinsley |
| Joel Beckett | Lee |
| Ben Bradshaw | Ben |
| Jamie Deeks | Jamie |
| Jane Lucas | Sheila |
| Ewen MacIntosh (as Ewan MacIntosh) | Keith Bishop |
| Emma Manton | Emma |
| Alexander Perkins | Ralph |
| Phillip Pickard | Phillip |
| Oliver Chris | Ricky |
| Robin Hooper | Malcolm |
| Angela Clerkin | Jackie |
| Stirling Gallacher | Jennifer |
| Paul Sharma | Sanj |
| Yvonne D'Alpra | Joan |
| Neil Fitzmaurice | Alex |
| Ricky Gervais | Writer |
| Stephen Merchant | Writer |
| Ricky Gervais | Director |
| Stephen Merchant | Director |
| Ash Atalla | Producer |
| Anil Gupta | Executive Producer |
| Jon Plowman | Executive Producer |
| Nigel Williams | Editor |
| Julie Harris | Production Designer |
| Rachel Freck | Casting Director |
| Sarah Tiffin (as Sarah Higbid) | Costume Designer |
| Andy Hollis | Director of Photography |
| Lucy Cain | Make-up Designer |
| Jo Randall | 1st Assistant Director |
Press
The Office (BBC2) is a very funny spoof documentary series, though more "Ouch!" than "Ha, ha!" It turns on a fine performance from Ricky Gervais as Dave, the egregious manager of an office in Slough that is under threat of closure ("Did I not want to hear that, Jenny!") Dave swings from cliché to catchphrase with the grace of an orangutan.
Nancy Banks-Smith, The Guardian, 10th July 2001Victor Lewis-Smith on The Office
It aims to capture the tedium and monotony of a nine-to-five existence, and to lampoon the pompous imbecility of the office wag, but fails miserably because parodies of dullness only succeed when they're shorter and more exaggerated than their original models. A bore in homeopathic doses can be hilarious, as demonstrated by The Fast Show's Colin Hunt, but a bore in real time remains simply a bore.
Victor Lewis-Smith, Evening Standard, 10th July 2001Finally, a quick but enthusiastic nod in the direction of The Office (BBC2) - it might be another spoof documentary series, but it's a spoof documentary series distinguished by superb performances and regular belly-laughs, and is not to be missed.
Charlie Brooker, The Guardian, 7th July 2001