Is The Office Australia ready to take on the US favorite?

I must confess I was quite fearful when I heard that The Office would have an Australian version. As a big fan of the US version, I am already pretty attached to its iconic characters, its unusual humor and that chaotic office. But curiosity won me over and I decided to give it a chance to see if Australia could really capture this classic’s essence.

After watching The Office Australia’s first episodes, some things became quite clear. The series follows the same structure we are already fond of, but with a unique Australian touch. Now we have Hanna Howard as the main character, an eccentric manager played by Felicity Ward , who, straightaway, brings some freshness to the part. It’s interesting seeing how a woman takes on the leadership part this time—something that sets this version apart and changes its dynamic.

Watching The Office Australia it’s almost like visiting an old friend, but in a different country. The series tries to be as faithful as possible to the original style, but also brings that irreverent mateship typical of Australians. In one of the episodes, for example, they dive deep into the Melbourne Cup universe, which is a big tradition there. These details bring authenticity to the show and demonstrate how the producers want to create something that resonates with the local audience.

Even so, as I watched the series, I felt it could go further into these cultural references to create its own identity. It’s possible to see the effort, but we are left with the feeling, at times, that the show relies too much on an already-known formula, with no big surprises for those who are already huge fans.

And, of course, it’s impossible for anyone watching it to avoid making comparisons with the US version, especially those, who like me, are already big fans of the Scranton gang. The chemistry and the charisma of the original US characters were one of its main strengths, and as for now, in this Australian version, I’m still waiting to be captivated by the characters likewise.

This does not mean that the Australian cast doesn’t measure up. Felicity Ward does an incredible work as Hannah, balancing humor with that touch of “weirdo boss” that we expect. However, as I watched the show, I couldn’t help but miss those iconic interactions, such as Jim and Pam, or the unmistakable Dwight. The Australian version is still crawling, and perhaps it might take some time until its characters find their own dynamics—in a way that can actually make us root for them in each episode.

The public’s opinion is divided. Many people seem to like the idea of seeing The Office under a different scope, as others are still very resistant to the idea, saying they prefer the US version untouched. I understand both sides, but I think that what’s interesting about adaptations is precisely this attempt at bringing something new to the table, even though the stakes are high.

So far, The Office Australia failed to keep me hooked the same way the North American version did—but I do recognize the series has potential, especially if they decide to be bolder. It would be amazing seeing the characters growing and exploiting even more of what is the most peculiar in Australian’s culture.

If anyone asks me if The Office Australia will reach the same levels of devotion as the US version, my answer is quite honest: not likely. But this does not mean that it’s worthless. Each version managed to capture something unique, be it the monotony of a British office, or the absurdity of a North American corporate environment. And let’s be honest, the Australian version brings us this local touch that, on its own, is already an interesting addition.

At the end of the day, I think it's worth giving this new adaptation a chance, with an open mind and without expecting a “clone” of the US version. To me, this is a series that is still finding its rhythm and, who knows, in the next few seasons, Felicity Ward and her team might be able to make us laugh and even miss characters we've only just met.