The Office: Downright Funny on Prime Video

When you think of spin-offs, one of the most popular that comes to mind is naturally The Office. First spun from the BBC production of the same name by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the workplace sitcom became a global staple, with audiences quickly latching on to its charm. Yet as it goes, the most beloved iteration remains the American version, with Steve Carell‘s Michael Scott embodying a uniquely awkward, try-hard energy that echoes Gervais’ David Brent. Years after that series finale, the franchise has now landed in Australia and swaps the bumbling male boss for Hannah Howard (Felicity Ward), a regional manager with a distinct brand of misguided enthusiasm. Following the Prime Video series’ trailer debut, the thirteenth adaptation in The Office franchise received backlash online — some of it rooted in explicit sexism rather than any real flaw. But having reviewed the show’s rather hilarious first season, it’s exciting to see another iteration hit the right comedic beats while offering a sharp, playful look at office life.

From awkward glances into the camera to some very laugh-out-loud office pranks, the Australian version of The Office effectively blends nostalgia with cultural relevance to stand on its own. While the first episode is slower to kick off compared to its beloved predecessors, the following chapters genuinely work to build on the franchise’s legacy with some truly hilarious standout moments that capture the awkwardness of modern workspaces in a post-COVID world, including jokes about remote culture and amplifying productivity with standing desks. As the series works to build on the success of its U.S. version, it adds a refreshing twist to cringe comedy and expands on it, similarly to Abbott Elementary or Parks and Recreation, while being far from a failure.

What Is the Australian Version of ‘The Office’ About?

Australia’s The Office brings a refreshing, yet familiar chaos to the workplace comedy scene, with Ward’s Hannah Howard stepping into the shoes of Flinley Craddick’s very awkward managing director. As the boss of a small packaging company on the brink of being shut down, Hannah’s desperate to keep her office running despite orders to switch everyone to remote. Her solution? Force the entire staff to come in full-time, lock the doors during meetings so they can’t leave, and introduce absurd productivity goals, like hitting $300K in sales — but also because corporate can then warrant its opening.

As a show that goes by quickly and is expertly paced with its gags, The Office‘s quirky and appreciated charm kicks in right away when Lizze Moyle (Edith Poor), Hannah’s productivity-obsessed “assistant” (who is every bit the Dwight Schrute as you would imagine), removes all the chairs to introduce standing desks while bringing along her pet crow, Russell — an unemotional support animal — to torment coworkers like Nick Fletcher (Steen Raskopoulos), who’s genuinely afraid of it. Lizze and Nick are this side of the world’s Dwight and Jim Halpert, not just the perfect blend of playful rivalry but also sharing a reluctant friendship. Naturally, where there is a Jim, there is also a Pam Beesly-type sales representative, Greta King (Shari Sebbens). She holds a little more compassion, which occasionally proves challenging for her colleagues.

When we let go of these rigid expectations that narrow our view of comedy, we open ourselves to humor that reflects diverse experiences through another type of lens — something The Office excels at. Across its episodes, the show is chaotic, funny, and oddly heartwarming in the best way. Thanks to its bizarre yet believable characters, this thirteenth iteration is a lot luckier than it thinks, capturing the same magic that made the original a hit — just with a refreshing Aussie twist.

The Office premieres worldwide (except the U.S.) October 17.

Conclusion

The Australian version of The Office brings a refreshing, yet familiar chaos to the workplace comedy scene, with Felicity Ward’s Hannah Howard delivering a unique take on the bumbling boss character. As the show finds new ways to expand on classic office dynamics, it’s exciting to see another iteration of the franchise hit the right comedic beats while offering a sharp, playful look at office life.

FAQs

Q: Is the Australian version of The Office worth watching?
A: Yes, it offers a refreshing take on the familiar franchise, mixing humor with cultural relevance to stand on its own.

Q: Are the characters in the Australian version similar to those in the U.S. version?
A: While sharing some similarities, the Australian cast brings a fresh perspective, with Felicity Ward’s Hannah Howard being a standout as a female lead.

Q: Will I enjoy the show if I’m a fan of the U.S. version?
A: The Australian version is distinct, so give it a chance to find its rhythm; you might enjoy its unique take on the classic office comedy.