The Office Australia has faced scathing criticism in recent reviews, with many questioning the need for the remake in the first place. The original UK version created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant in 2001 was hailed as a classic, while the US adaptation that followed in 2005 also garnered immense popularity.
Led by Australian comedian Felicity Ward in the role of Hannah Howard, the equivalent of Gervais’s character David Brent, the Australian remake failed to impress critics. Benji Wilson from The Telegraph described the show as “a heinously misguided undertaking” that didn’t pay enough attention to its source material, raising the question of its purpose.
The Guardian’s review labelled the reboot as “An edgeless reboot doomed for the shredder,” with Luke Buckmaster criticising the lack of originality and new aspects brought to the table. The performances were also under scrutiny, with observations that the cast appeared “dazed and glassy-eyed, like fish nearing their last breath.”
In a relatively more favourable review from the Evening Standard, the show was awarded three stars, praising Ward’s portrayal of Howard as “eccentric and needy.” However, the review also noted that the show quickly fell back to familiar territory after an initial promising start.
Pat Stacey of The Irish Independent was harsh in his assessment, describing the remake as “pointless and toothless.” He criticised the lack of originality and questioned the necessity of the series. In an interview with The Independent, Ward acknowledged the challenges of taking on such a beloved and established concept, expressing confidence in her role despite the inevitable strong opinions the show would evoke.
As the reviews continue to pour in, it remains clear that The Office Australia has failed to capture the magic of its predecessors, leaving many to wonder why this remake was undertaken in the first place.