NBC is reportedly close to finding a star for its version of the Golden Globe-winning British comedy “The Office.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Daily Show” correspondent Steve Carell is in the running to play the lead role, although NBC sources say no deal is in place.
Carell, who’s been with “The Daily Show” since 1999, counts “Watching Ellie” and the feature film “Bruce Almighty” among his credits. He’ll also be part of NBC’s midseason comedy “Come to Papa”–in which, coincidentally, he also plays an overbearing boss–which could be a stumbling block for his casting on “The Office.”
Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson (“Six Feet Under”) and John Krasinski also have joined the cast. “King of the Hill” co-creator Greg Daniels is writing the pilot.
Series co-creator Ricky Gervais has served as a consultant on the NBC pilot but has said he won’t take a hands-on role in its development.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Joe Knowles ([email protected]).