If producers of the U.S. television series "The Office" have their
way, Catherine Tate will be the new manager of Dunder Mifflin's Scranton
branch.
The British comedienne, who will appear on the NBC network comedy's
Thursday finale episode alongside guest stars Jim Carrey, Ray Romano and
Will Ferrell, is said to be the top choice of the show's producers,
though her ability to take the job is in question due to her current
theater commitment.
Tate, who is best known for work on England's hit series "Doctor Who" as
well as her eponymous U.K. sketch comedy series, is reuniting with her
former "Who" co-star David Tennant as Beatrice in this summer's "Much
Ado About Nothing" in England.
Long-time cast members Ed Helms, Craig Robinson and Rainn Wilson each
have shown interest in taking over as the office manager as well, and
producers have discussed the possibilities. "They are all movie stars,
any one of them could do it," says one insider. The source suggests
plotlines will revolve around and experiment with Helms, Robinson and
Wilson's characters jockeying for the position.
Among the other high-profile names that have been bandied about for the
comedy's lead are James Spader and Will Arnett, both of whom will appear
in the season finale. Spader is still being considered, though
producers want to find a character with the "sweetness" of Steve
Carell's Michael Scott, an attribute that became increasingly apparent
as the show progressed into its current seventh season. Arnett is now
out of contention because his NBC comedy pilot, "Up All Night," has been
picked up to series.
Ricky Gervais, the show's co-creator as well as the star of the U.K.
iteration, has been added to the mix of potential names, but a source
suggested that, too, was unlikely. Having him in that role would be
considered "a little backwards" in the show's progression, though he
will also appear in the Season 7 finale.
