It's been 25 years since Ricky Gervais appeared onscreen as David Brent in a TV show that would go on to make history, forming a cult following and inspiring highly successful international adaptations.
The series, which aired just 12 official episodes, plus a two-part Christmas special and a spin-off film, followed the mundane lives of office workers at the Slough branch of the fictional Wernham Hogg paper company.
To mark The Office's anniversary, actors Martin Freeman and Mackenzie Crook have reunited for a special BBC documentary which aired last night, reminiscing about the show's iconic history and memorable moments. Ricky Gervais is also releasing a retrospective special on his YouTube channel.
So, a quarter of a century on from when the first episode aired on 9 July 2001, where is the cast of the show now?
The Office cast: then and now
© Dave Benett/Getty ImagesRicky Gervais (David Brent)
Ricky Gervais was not only the show's main star but was also one of a two-person operation behind its genius writing. Alongside Stephen Merchant, Ricky wrote the show, the pair going on to make Extras (2005-07) and Life’s Too Short (2011-13) together.
His first solo project was Channel 4's Derek in 2012, which was later followed by After Life for Netflix (2019-22).
Elsewhere, Ricky, 65, has toured as a stand-up comedian and produced a number of hit shows, such as An Idiot Abroad in 2010.
Since the show's advent, Ricky has remained a household name, cropping up in a handful of big films, including the Night at the Museum trilogy (2006-14) and Ghost Town (2008).
His dark but addictive humour has also given him a spot on the podium at the Golden Globes, which he has hosted five times between 2010 and 2020.
He has maintained a happy relationship with Jane Fallon since 1982, though the pair never married.
© Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty ImStephen Merchant (Oggy)
Despite being one of the show's writers and critical to its enduring popularity, Stephen Merchant appears only briefly in the series as the Oggmonster in the Charity episode.
He also made appearances alongside Gervais in their second show, Extras, and Warwick Davis in Life’s Too Short.
Stephen, 51, was also involved in creating the hugely popular An Idiot Abroad alongside Ricky, as well as appearing in The Ricky Gervais Show with Karl Pilkington.
Much like his colleague, he did stand-up tours of his show Hello Ladies, later going on to star in a sitcom with the same name.
He also co-created the comedy crime thriller The Outlaws in 2021. He received praise for his performance in Four Lives, a BBC drama series starring Sheridan Smith, a year later.
The comedian also never married but has been in a long-term relationship with the American actress and model, Mircea Monroe, since 2017.
© Getty ImagesMartin Freeman (Tim Canterbury)
Perhaps one of the greatest success stories following the show's finale in 2003, Martin Freeman went on to star in a number of major productions, including Love Actually and The Hobbit, proving his versatility as an actor.
During the early 2000s, Martin, 54, had roles in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) and Nativity! (2009) to Edgar Wright’s comedies Shaun of the Dead (2004) and Hot Fuzz (2007).
He reached stratospheric heights in his career when he landed roles in smash-hit shows such as Sherlock (2010-17) and Fargo (2014).
His performance in Sherlock earned him the 2011 BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor and the 2014 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor.
He has been in a relationship with Amanda Abbington from 2000 to 2016. They have a son and a daughter together.
© WireImageMackenzie Crook (Gareth Keenan)
Mackenzie Crook played Gareth, a somewhat socially stunted assistant to the regional manager.
His comic performance earned him high praise at home and overseas, and Mackenzie quickly found himself in demand by American directors.
His popularity landed him the role of Ragetti, a slightly sinister but very amusing character in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise between 2003 and 2007.
A testament to his incredible acting skills, Mackenzie, 54, later picked up a role in Game of Thrones (2013), widely regarded as one of the most popular television shows in history.
A year later, he starred in Detectorists, which won two Baftas over the course of his nearly decade-long tenure.
He also created and starred in Worzel Gummidge (2019-2021) and Small Prophets (2026).
Mackenzie tied the knot with his wife, Lindsey, a former advertising executive, in 2001. They live in London and share a son and a daughter.
© FilmMagicLucy Davis (Dawn Tinsley)
Lucy Davis's stellar performance in the office gave her opportunities in a handful of British films, including Sex Lives of the Potato Men opposite her former colleague, Mackenzie, and Shaun of the Dead in 2004.
The 53-year-old also made waves in radio, playing Hayley Jordan on Radio 4’s The Archers until 2005. She also took roles in Ugly Betty (2006), Californication (2007) and Reaper (2008).
Her most recent features include Wonder Woman (2017) and Netflix's series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-20).
In 2006, she married Welsh actor Owain Yeoman, but the pair separated and divorced in 2011 after six years of marriage.
© Variety via Getty ImagesRalph Ineson (Chris "Finchy" Finch)
Ralph Ineson took on the role of Finchy, the insufferable friend of Ricky's character.
Though it wasn't his first time working in television, the show's success undoubtedly bolstered his career, including nabbing a role in the Harry Potter films.
Elsewhere, he has taken roles in The Witch (2015), The Green Knight (2021), Nosferatu (2024) and The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025).
He has also performed in Game of Thrones, as well as taking roles in Ludwig (2024) and Chernobyl (2019).
