The first episode of The Office

Image: Ricky Gervais as David Brent, Martin Freeman as Tim, Mackenzie Crook as Gareth, Lucy Davis as Dawn and Sally Bretton as Donna in Series 1.

The first episode of The Office was screened on BBC Two on 9 July 2001. The sitcom was presented as a mock documentary, based in the Slough branch of the paper supply company Wernham Hogg. It was written by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais and starred Gervais as manager David Brent - who saw himself as a "chilled out entertainer", despite all evidence to the contrary. With no fanfare in the Radio Times, the show’s initial ratings were poor. However word of mouth ensured The Office grew in popularity and became one of the most influential comedies of the 21st Century.

The Office featured Brent and his co-workers Tim Canterbury (Martin Freeman), Dawn Tinsley (Lucy Davis) and Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Crook). Merchant and Gervais decided to end the programme after just two series, wrapping everything up in two Christmas specials. In the end Tim and Dawn got together, while Brent found romance and the courage to stand up to the bullying Finchy (Ralph Ineson).

The success of The Office led to several international versions, including an American one, which ran for eight years. The stars of the British show were much in demand; Crook appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean and Freeman in The Hobbit and as Doctor Watson in the BBC drama Sherlock. Gervais and Merchant went on to further success with many ventures including Extras. In 2016 Gervais revived the character of Brent for a new feature film David Brent: Life on the Road.