An Indian Version of 'The Office' Is in the Works
After launching a multiple international iterations of beloved Britcom "The Office" over the years -- including the wildly successful U.S. version, starring Steve Carell -- Ricky Gervais and the BBC have announced that they're expanding the format to yet another country: India.
The comedian and the British television network made the news official this week, revealing that the new show would be set in the suburbs of New Delhi, and revolve around a small paper company called Wilkins Chawla. This time around, the overbearing boss will be named Jagdeep Chaddha, and yes, there will still be a Tim and Dawn/Jim and Pam-style subplot featuring a burgeoning romance between a salesman and the receptionist.
In an interview with BBC News, Gervais said he was "hoping for big ratings" for this new version, which will be the first set in Asia. Previously, Gervais sold the "Office" format for shows based in Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Israel, Sweden, and the U.S., and versions set in Russia and China are in various stages of development. (An initially unsanctioned German version also made it to the air, eventually adding an "inspired by" credit namechecking Gervais and co-creator Stephen Merchant.)
"I'm always excited and flattered to see remakes of my work," the comedian told the BBC.
"The Office" originally ran for two seasons on the BBC in 2001 and 2002, and returned for two Christmas specials in 2003. Gervais reprised his David Brent character several times over the years (including a couple memorable guest appearances on the U.S. "Office," which ran for nine seasons from 2005 through 2013 and may be getting a reboot), most recently starring in the full-length Netflix feature "David Brent: Life on the Road" in 2016.
[via: BBC News]