The Best Character in Each Season of The Office

The Office went on to be a long-running show that spanned nine seasons from 2005 to 2013. Set in the paper merchant company, Dunder Mifflin, audiences had the privilege of following a fantastically written group of characters that could help everyone find comfort in the show. Filmed as a mockumentary gave the series the chance to be as realistic as possible, allowing viewers to buy into the concept.

Every season of the show was necessary to the plot, with characters developing the whole time. Each of the lead roles were able to have extensive backstories for viewers to connect with. Although the show had an ensemble cast, each season had a character that stood out, whether for the comedy or the detail of their plot line.

9. Jim’s Crush Was Central to Season 1

Jim and Pam’s relationship on The Office quickly became a core focus of the show. Fans were hooked on the unspoken romance between the salesman and the receptionist, not knowing if they would ever get together. It’s for this reason that season 1 stands out as Jim’s best.

At this point in the show, he was a young man who didn’t have a lot of direction in his life. His job didn’t enthrall him, but it was clear to see that being near to Pam was his favorite part of turning up to Dunder Mifflin. John Krasinski did a stellar job at conveying the pain Jim felt every time he was hit with the reality that Pam was with another man, as much as he was brilliant at showing his work relationship with Dwight. The season really helped to set the character up and instantly got viewers to understand his personality.

8. Season 2 Highlighted Michael’s Way of Managing

Steve Carell wholly embodied his chaotic character, Michael Scott, giving one of his best performances to date. Michael could be a great manager and friend, but he could never let go of his desperation to have people like him, which caused the opposite to ensue.

Season 2 drove home his motives of being popular and highlighted that he wasn’t the worst guy in the world, but he needed to relax, especially among other people. The first episode of the season, “The Dundies,” gave indication of how much he wanted to be liked and wanted to be thought of as funny. In “Booze Cruise,” he got himself in trouble, but turned out to be a good friend to Jim when he was struggling with the fact that Pam and Roy set a date for their wedding. Michael’s personality had a lot of contradictions, which came to light throughout Season 2.

7. Pam Found Her Confidence in Season 3

Season 3 was Pam’s time to shine as she took the lead on her life and what she wanted. She’d had an awful relationship with long-term fiancé Roy and deserved to find her happiness elsewhere. Unfortunately, by the time she’d split with Roy, Jim had moved to the Stamford branch, but Pam was still able to focus on herself.

In “Beach Games,” Pam finally spoke her mind and chose to do so in front of all her colleagues. She called them all out for not turning up to her art show and told Jim exactly how she felt. She told him that she had called off her wedding because of him, and she hated that things were weird between them. It was a truly powerful scene that stood out in the season. Audiences got to see how strong Pam was as she finally found the courage to speak the truth without any hesitation.

6. Angela Got Together With Andy in Season 4

Angela was one of the meanest, most stern characters on The Office, but that didn’t stop her from having some of the funniest quotes. A stickler for the rules and with an unforgiving nature, Angela could often make people feel uncomfortable. Season 4 provided a few episodes that proved how funny Angela was, even though she wasn’t a joyful presence.

Andy became enamored with Angela, although it took him a bit of time to get her to want to go out with him. Audiences could see from the beginning that they were in no way suited to one another, and Angela wasn’t actually interested in him. In another episode, “Dinner Party,” Angela tries to stir up the tension between Pam and Jan, backing Jan up when she says that Pam dated Michael, which she didn’t. The season didn’t paint Angela in the best light, but such episodes proved what a brilliantly written and funny character she was.

5. Season 5 Brought Erin Into Dunder Mifflin

Erin didn’t join Dunder Mifflin until Episode 23 of Season 5, but she was such an energetic, vivacious character that she immediately had a great impact on the show and demonstrated that she was a character well worth keeping in the series. Erin joined because Pam went on maternity leave, therefore filling in for her job.

Erin is arguably one of the funniest characters on the show. She brought a new dynamic to the workplace (and show), with her innocence adding to the comedy. Pam needed to be replaced by a worthwhile character who wasn’t a replica of her. Erin was the perfect addition.

4. Darryl Got the Recognition He Deserved in Season 6

Darryl started off as a supporting character on The Office, though his deadpan humor was always a welcome part of any scene he was in. As the seasons went on, he became a bigger part of the show, with Season 6 giving him bigger story lines.

Darryl gets moved from the warehouse into the office after Jo, the CEO of Sabre, is impressed with his work. Although the show would visit the warehouse and its workers, the show is far more heavily based in the office, which gave Darryl more airtime and the opportunity to show what he was capable of. At the end of the season, he was involved with a bigger plot: the whistleblowing saga.

3. Kevin Was at His Comedic Best in Season 7

Kevin wasn’t great at his job, which led to Dwight firing him further down the line. However, he was a pretty harmless guy (albeit he made some questionable comments), and was a great character to generate comedy from. Kevin didn’t have the biggest plot lines on the show, but Season 7 emphasizes the humor he brings.

In “The Seminar,” Andy asks Kevin and a few others to help him with a business seminar. As part of Kevin’s motivational presentation, he runs around the room and eats a sandwich until he makes himself sick. It’s completely off-putting for the attendees but hilarious for viewers. He also showed himself to be a bit of a prankster when Pam asked him to switch the elevator buttons around to confuse Dwight. Kevin’s subplots weren’t usually big parts of the show, but he was always a great character to fill in with comedy.

2. Andy Became More Understood in Season 8

Andy had a lot of similarities to Michael because he was so consumed with the need to be liked. For some time, his relentless trait was something that his colleagues didn’t understand and simply found annoying. Season 8 gave more information about Andy’s backstory and a very valid explanation for his need to impress.

Andy threw a garden party to get on Robert California’s good side. He invited his parents, who openly showed preference to Andy’s brother. A few of the others from Dunder Mifflin later overheard Andy’s father telling him he wasn’t proud of him, which meant they understood why Andy was intent on making himself seem like the best person. Although it wasn’t a nice experience for the character, audiences were able to cut him some slack and have a lot more empathy for his actions.

1. Dwight Got Everything He Wanted in Season 9

As one of the leading characters on the sitcom, Dwight’s story was given depth, and audiences were invested in anything that happened to him. He was an eccentric character who faced a lot of ups and downs, but thankfully, the final season gave him everything he ever wanted, including a promotion to Regional Manager.

Dwight and Angela were always meant to be together. They were equally bizarre and shared a similar way of thinking. Much to both of their disappointments, they had other relationships throughout the show while constantly wanting to be with each other. Finally, they got together and stayed together. But not only did Dwight get to be with the woman he wanted, but he also found out that her son was, in fact, his. They married at the end of the season and had never looked happier.