At Dunder Mifflin, work wasn’t always just about paper—sometimes it was about doing your taxes too!
The cast of The Office recently opened up about how they passed the time while filming the hit comedy. In a new interview with Today, several actors shared funny behind-the-scenes stories from the show’s early days.
“None of us were famous when we started,” said Kate Flannery (who played Meredith). “So when the show became popular, we became popular too.”
Flannery even admitted that during the first season, she used the downtime between takes to do her taxes—and she wasn’t the only one! Leslie David Baker (Stanley) said, “Phyllis did her taxes. I did my taxes. We even found each other’s houses.” Meanwhile, Oscar Nuñez (Oscar) joked, “Call me crazy, but I was actually learning my lines and working on my acting!”
When The Office debuted in 2005, NBC was looking for lesser-known actors to play employees at a small paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It didn’t take long for the show to become a worldwide hit, running for nine seasons until 2013. It starred big names like Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, and Mindy Kaling, who all became stars thanks to the series.
Now, 10 years after the finale, the love for The Office is still going strong.
Rainn Wilson (Dwight) recently shared his gratitude on Instagram:
“So grateful for that nine-year chapter of my life… I’m forever blessed by my association with a show that has brought so much joy to so many.”
Jenna Fischer (Pam) also reflected on its lasting impact, saying:
“Thanks to streaming, people are still discovering and rewatching the show. I feel honored it still makes people laugh.”
And now, there’s even more good news for fans!
A brand-new spinoff of The Office is on the way. Peacock announced the new project in 2024, with The Office creator Greg Daniels teaming up with Nathan for You co-creator Michael Koman. The spinoff will feature Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore in leading roles. The story is still under wraps, and none of the original cast is expected to return—at least for now.
Steve Carell (Michael Scott) confirmed he won’t be part of it, but he gave his full support:
“I will be watching, but I won’t be in it. It sounds like a great idea, and I’m excited to see it.”
So while we might not see our favorite Scranton crew again, the world of The Office is definitely not closed for business.