“Because I’m a woman”: Felicity Ward Chugs it Out to Gender Discrimination for The Office Fans Trolling Her for Replacing Steve Carell

The Office created a major sensation in the mockumentary sitcom genre in 2005. The public was still reeling from the conclusion of FRIENDS, so it gave them the much-needed alternative for their laughter-filled evenings. Based on the British series of the same name, it starred Steve Carell as the lead Michael Scott. After its conclusion in 2013, fans were excited about the possibility of a reunion or a reboot.

A still from The Office | Credits: NBC

But when the same happened, it gathered a mixed bag of reactions online. In an interesting turn of events, The Office did come back, but this time with an Australian twist. And also featured the franchise’s first female boss, causing an uproar online.

Felicity Ward Claps Back at Trolls, Calls Out Gender Discrimination Over the Office Role

The Office brought out several emotions and was a point of heartbreak when it concluded after nine seasons. So, when another adaptation was announced, fans were obviously overjoyed and even appreciated the “New Office. New Aussie boss” tagline. However, as soon as it was announced that Felicity Ward would be playing a female boss in the show, it sparked a major backlash.

Felicity Ward in The Office (Australia) | Credits: Prime Video

Just like the original, it follows the same mockumentary format and showcases the awkward yet quirky interactions between the characters in a packaging company in Sydney. Ward plays the role of Hannah Howard, managing director of the company. This also makes her the franchise’s first female boss, as all the rest 12 adaptations of the BBC sitcom featured only men.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she talked about her participation in the show as well as the backlash that she faced. While she tries to avoid online criticism, in the same interview she brought up the gender-discrimination subject in the midst of all the trolling. Ward added:

Ward also mentioned that it’s completely normal to feel furious when a beloved show gets a remake. She also gave an example of how she felt angry when her favorite movie, Point Break, was remade. But she also added that it’s important to express our feelings in a good way, like talking to a friend, instead of being mean online.

She also compared the criticism the American Office got to the criticism the Australian Office is getting now. Ward said the American Office was also criticized at first, but it became very popular later. Further, she emphasized that each version of The Office is different and should be appreciated on its own.

The Reason Why Steve Carell Said Goodbye to the Office

When Steve Carell left The Office after season seven, fans were surprised because his character, Michael Scott, was such a big part of the show. Michael was the clueless, attention-seeking boss at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton office. While he often caused problems and said awkward things, over time, he grew into a more caring boss and friend. That’s why his exit felt so significant.

Steve Carell in The Office | Credits: NBC

In 2010, Carell mentioned in an interview that he planned to leave after his contract ended so he could spend more time with his family. But in a later podcast, An Oral History of The Office, some cast and crew revealed that NBC never reached out to renew his contract, so Carell decided to move on. By then, he had become a well-known actor, making it a good time for him to explore new projects.

In another podcast, Office Ladies, hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, Carell explained that he left because he thought it was time for other characters to take center stage.

He said leaving the show was emotional, but he was grateful for the chance to give Michael Scott a meaningful send-off. His departure marked a turning point, and many fans felt the show wasn’t the same without him.

You can watch The Office on Peacock.