Ricky Gervais became a familiar face to fans for his role as David Brent in the BBC mockumentary series The Office. Created and penned by comedian and actor Gervais, the show delves into the awkwardness and everyday events that occur in a typical UK office.
Set in a fictional paper company in Slough, The Office didn’t initially pull in high ratings during its two-year run. However, it quickly became one of Britain’s most cherished exports, inspiring America to create their own version of the show.
READ MORE: The Office Keith Bishop star Ewen MacIntosh dies aged 50 after suffering ‘bad times’
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(Image: BBC)
The Office is also known for its iconic comedic scenes that have stuck with fans across the nation.
While Gervais shot to fame after the series ended on December 27, 2003, several other stars from the show also made names for themselves once the show wrapped up.
So, let’s see where the cast of The Office are now.
Ricky Gervais as David Brent
(Image: 2020 NBCUniversal Media, LLC via Getty Images)
After his success from the series, Gervais bagged a Golden Globe award in 2004. Since then, the actor hasn’t stopped working and has become a household name in the UK and in America.
Gervais has been busy with a variety of projects and has also found success behind the camera. The star has been highly successful as a director, receiving high praise for his role in Extras, and most recently in After Life.
Not only this, but Gervais has wowed audiences worldwide with his stand-up comedy and comedic approach, which has led him to become a sought-after host in the UK and US.
(Image: BBC)
Gervais has also starred in several blockbusters such as Night at the Museum, Ghost Town, The Invention of Lying, Cemetery Junction and Special Correspondents alongside Eric Bana.
The actor often keeps his private life out of the spotlight but frequently expresses his support for animal rights and uses his social media platform to raise awareness on this issue.
Gervais splits his time between Hampstead, London and Marlow, Buckinghamshire and has been with his partner Jane Fallon since 1982.
Ewan MacIntosh as Keith Bishop
(Image: BBC)
Ewan MacIntosh, who was best known for playing Keith Bishop, sadly died in February 2024. A message from his management company paid tribute to the “beloved comedy genius”.
His co-star Ricky Gervais also paid tribute to him, writing: “Extremely sad news. The very funny and very lovely Ewen Macintosh, known to many as ‘Big Keith’ from The Office, has passed away. An absolute original. RIP.”
Fans will remember Ewen’s Scotch egg scene where his character “Big Keith” made “inappropriate comments” during a conversation with Tim while slowly taking a huge bite from a Scotch egg.
Lucy Davis as Dawn Tinsley
(Image: BBC)
Actress Lucy Davis, who played receptionist Dawn Tinsley in the hit series, found fame on the show. After the show ended, the actress, who is the daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott, moved straight to LA where she found success in several low-key roles.
But she also played other notable characters in films and popular series such as Shaun of the Dead, Wonder Woman, Ugly Betty, Married Single Other and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
The actress also found success as Spellman in the Netflix series the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Martin Freeman as Tim Canterbury
(Image: BBC)
Martin Freeman portrayed the ever-patient sales representative Tim Canterbury in the hilarious series. His character’s ongoing practical jokes on his office rival Gareth and his flirtations with receptionist Dawn made him a favourite among viewers.
After the show concluded in 2003, Freeman continued his acting career, appearing in TV shows like Sherlock and Fargo. He achieved significant Hollywood success when he played Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit film trilogy.
Additionally, the star featured in Love Actually, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Nativity! and Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther. He has also won several awards during his career, including an Emmy Award, a Bafta and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Freeman split from his long-term partner and Sherlock co-star Amanda Abbington in 2016, who he had been with since 2000. They have two children together.
Stephen Merchant as Oggy
(Image: BBC)
Actor Stephen Merchant took on the role of Oggy, also known as Oggmonster. Oggy was one of Gareth Keenan’s closest friends in the series, along with Jimmy the Perv and Fish Fingers.
Merchant, who was one of the genius minds behind The Office, which he co-wrote and co-directed alongside Ricky Gervais.
After The Office wrapped up in the early 2000s, Merchant collaborated with Gervais to co-write and star in both Extras and Life’s Too Short.
(Image: Getty Images for IMDb)
He didn’t stop there as he continued his double act with Gervais and Karl Pilkington, hosting The Ricky Gervais Show and creating the much-loved Sky One travel series, An Idiot Abroad. Surprisingly, he also went on to co-create Lip Sync Battle.
The star is not just limited to writing, he has tried his hand at stand-up comedy, appeared in theatre shows and played mutant Caliban in the 2017 superhero movie Logan.
Merchant’s talents have been recognised with two Golden Globe awards, four British comedy awards, three Bafta Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award.
Mackenzie Crook as Gareth Keenan
(Image: BBC TWO)
Another unforgettable character from The Office is Gareth Keenan, played by Mackenzie Crook. He made our sides split as paper salesman who loved to bug his workmates with his strict rule-following and his hero-worship of Brent.
Brent often took advantage of this, constantly reminding him that his title was “Assistant (to the) regional manager”.
After The Office, Crook’s career experienced highs and lows but managed to achieve success through roles such as Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean films and Orell in Game of Thrones.
Crook also created and starred in BBC Four’s Detectorists, which ended up winning two Bafta Awards. In 2019, the actor wrote, directed and starred in the revival of Worzel Gummidge.
Ralph Ineson as Chris Finch
(Image: Getty Images)
Actor Ralph Ineson played Chris Finch and was probably the most unpleasant and annoying character in The Office.
Known to his colleagues as Finchy, the outspoken character was a sexist loudmouth whose comical anecdotes were rude and offensive to everyone except David Brent, who seemed to idolise his behaviour, even though he was the but of all of his jokes.
Once the series ended, Ineson also continued his career in acting and has gone on to appear in several hit shows and films, including roles as Dagmer Cleftjaw in Game of Thrones, Nikolai Tarakanov in Chernobyl and Amycus Carrow in three of the Harry Potter movies.
Not only this, but the star has appeared appeared in plenty of Hollywood films, such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Ready Player One, Dolittle and the new upcoming movie The Green Knight, based on Arthurian legend.
Recently the actor landed a part in The Tragedy of Macbeth, an upcoming film written and directed by Joel Coen which is based on William Shakespeare’s tragedy.
Joel Beckett as Lee
(Image: Getty Images)
Lee played by actor Joel Beckett was Dawn’s fiance who she met at school. The character was dull, uninteresting and would often embarrass Dawn in front of her colleagues.
Lee, who worked in a warehouse, wasn’t known for being romantic towards Dawn, something that didn’t go unnoticed by her colleagues. After The Office wrapped up, Beckett landed roles in other BBC dramas like Holby City, Doctors, and Casualty. He also appeared in ITV’s Heartbeat.
One of his most memorable roles was as Jake Moon in EastEnders. He also had a part in the 2005 film Green Street. However, since then, things have been pretty quiet for the actor.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
