Female-Centred Reboot Of The Office 'In The Works' In Australia

Plans for a female-centred version of The Office are reportedly underway in Australia.

The Office, both the UK and US versions, have reached near-cult status, and are wildly popular among fans.

It's been adapted for numerous markets across the world, from Chile to Israel, and it seems that an Australian version is 'in the works', with a number of comedians and actors being approached for the series.

Ricky Gervais (Alamy)

The Office is known for its hilariously incompetent bosses. Ricky Gervais entertained the nation as David Brent in the UK series, while Steve Carell captured our hearts as the well-meaning but clueless Michael Scott in the US version.

Now, the Herald Sun is reporting that the lead role in the Australian version is set to go to a woman, with comic Magda Szubanski being considered. Other notable stars linked to the production include Isla Fisher and Jim Jefferies.

Szubanski is best known for her work in the show Kath & Kim, as well as the Babe movies. Fisher has starred in Now You See Me and Confessions of a Shopaholic, while Jefferies is a well-known Australian stand-up comic.

Fans took to Twitter to react to the news, with some speculating whether Jefferies would be involved.

One user wrote. 'I'd heard they were gender-flipping the boss role and are looking for a female. JJ was listed on imdb years ago, but I'd be very surprised if he was going to come here, with his family being LA based for nearly a decade, and becoming a US citizen a few years ago.'

Another user noted, 'This seems like a really bad idea. Not the fact that Jim Jefferies is in it, but the fact they are making this series at all. The UK and US versions are pure gold. We don’t need another one.'

Steve Carell (Alamy)

The UK version of The Office hit television screens back in 2001 and came to an end with a two-part Christmas special in 2003.

The series was then adapted for US audiences, with the show airing in 2005 and running for nine seasons. It concluded in 2013, and has since become on of the most popular sitcoms of all time.

Both shows won numerous awards, including BAFTAs and Emmys.

While details remain few and far between for the Australian version, it'll be interesting to see how the series does given the success of the UK and US versions.

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