Premiering in 2005, the American version of The Office quickly became one of the funniest and most influential sitcoms of all time. The success of the show came not only from its clever script and mockumentary style, but also from its stellar cast, who transformed seemingly ordinary office characters into pop culture icons. Let’s take a look back at the faces that made The Office so appealing and see how their careers changed after the show ended.
Steve Carell – Michael Scott, The Soul of The Office
No one can deny that Michael Scott was the central character of The Office throughout its first seven seasons. Steve Carell brought a brilliant performance to this role, transforming Michael from a clumsy, ridiculous boss into an emotional character that made the audience laugh and feel sympathy. Despite his often annoying jokes, Michael genuinely cares about his employees, even if it’s in a quirky way.
Before The Office, Steve Carell had already made his name on The Daily Show, but it was his role as Michael Scott that really made him an A-list star. After leaving the show in season 7, Carell continued his success with a number of impressive film roles, from comedy (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Crazy Stupid Love) to drama (Foxcatcher, The Big Short). Despite his departure, he maintained a close relationship with the cast, even returning for the series finale, giving fans a touching moment.
Rainn Wilson – Dwight Schrute, The Weird But Memorable Character
If Michael Scott is the heart of The Office, then Dwight Schrute is its most quirky and funny soul. Rainn Wilson perfectly transformed into Dwight, a salesman with a rigid personality, loves power and is obsessed with his family’s sugar beet farm. Dwight is a character that creates countless memorable moments, from endless battles with Jim Halpert to showing his ambition to become a leader.
Wilson brought a Dwight Schrute that was completely different from the usual office characters. After The Office ended, he continued his acting career, participating in many TV projects such as Star Trek: Discovery and Utopia. However, to the audience, Rainn Wilson will always be Dwight Schrute.
John Krasinski & Jenna Fischer – Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly, An Iconic Love Story
The love story between Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) is one of the important factors that make The Office attractive. Jim is the fun-loving guy who always tries to tease Dwight, and Pam is the gentle receptionist who is stuck in an unsatisfactory life. Their journey from friends to lovers to husband and wife brings the sweetest and most touching moments of the show.
After The Office ended, John Krasinski rose to become one of Hollywood’s biggest talents, not only as an actor but also as a director. He had a box office hit with A Quiet Place and starred in the Amazon series Jack Ryan. Jenna Fischer, while not pursuing big projects like Krasinski, maintained her acting career and launched the podcast Office Ladies with Angela Kinsey, where they shared behind-the-scenes stories from the show.
B.J. Novak & Mindy Kaling – Ryan and Kelly, the Toxic But Funny Couple
B.J. Novak plays Ryan Howard, an initially promising intern who gradually turns into an arrogant and self-destructive career-killer. Mindy Kaling plays Kelly Kapoor, a love-struck and dramatic girl. Their relationship is one of the most interesting subplots of the show, with endless breakups and reunions.
Interestingly, in addition to their roles as actors, both Novak and Kaling participated in writing and producing The Office. After leaving the show, Mindy Kaling became one of Hollywood’s top female screenwriters and producers, with the series The Mindy Project and Never Have I Ever. Novak also continued her writing and directing career, although she appeared less in front of the camera.
Supporting Cast – Perfect Pieces
In addition to the main characters, the supporting cast of The Office also contributed significantly to the success of the show:
Ed Helms (Andy Bernard) – From a difficult employee to a reluctant manager, Andy Bernard brought many humorous but also controversial moments in the following seasons.
Ellie Kemper (Erin Hannon) – The naive but lovable receptionist who forms an interesting romance with Andy.
Brian Baumgartner (Kevin Malone) – The goofy accountant with the famous line about the spilled chili pot.
Angela Kinsey (Angela Martin) – The serious but mysterious accountant who has a troubled relationship with Dwight.
Oscar Nuñez (Oscar Martinez) – One of the most down-to-earth characters in the film, often teased by Michael but one of the smartest people in the office.
Creed Bratton (Creed Bratton) – A mysterious, strange and perhaps criminal characters. Creed always has lines that make the audience surprised. The Legacy of The Office 
Although it ended in 2013, The Office still maintains a strong appeal. Thanks to Netflix and streaming platforms, a new generation of viewers continues to discover and love the show. The chemistry between the cast, from the top stars to the supporting characters, has helped the show endure over time.
More than a decade after its end, the actors of The Office continue to reap success in their careers, while maintaining close relationships in real life. From Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Mindy Kaling to the supporting actors, all contributed to creating one of the best comedies in television history. And no matter how much time passes, the story of Dunder Mifflin will always be remembered by audiences as a pop culture icon.
