The Office is one of the most beloved UK sitcoms, with the classic programme introducing us to characters like David Brent, Tim Canterbury and Dawn Tinsley, who were played by Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman and Lucy Davis respectively. The show helped to establish Ricky as a comedy icon and served as one of Martin's breakout roles.
Despite an incredibly limited run of just two seasons and a Christmas special, the mockumentary introduced us to the employees of Slough's Wernham Hogg, a paper company. The company was helmed by David Brent, an obnoxious general manager who often attempted to court favour with his employees in embarrassing ways.
The format of the show has been used around the world, most successfully in the United States, with fans falling in love with the likes of Michael Scott, Dwight Schrute, Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly.
However, fans were devastated recently, when Lucy confirmed that she had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. The illness has metastasised to her bones, specifically her spine, right hip, and ribs, making it incurable.
The star has been supported by her former co-stars, including Ricky, who reacted with a heart emoji underneath a post praising the actress.
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© Dave Benett/Getty ImagesRicky is now one of the most famous comedians of all time
Ricky Gervais
Ricky led the series as David Brent, the manager who considered himself to be loved by the masses, although ultimately ended up irritating them. The series ends with David's brutal firing, and it remains one of the most remembered scenes from the show.
The Office has just the start of Ricky's ascent to comedy superstardom, with the star also being responsible for creating the likes of Extras, Life's Too Short, Derek and After Life. His incredible career has seen him win seven BAFTAs, five National Comedy Awards, five Golden Globes and two Emmys, among others.
In 2021, he surmised that the show would never be made today due to the prevalence of cancel culture. "I mean, now it would be cancelled," he said. "I'm looking forward to when they pick out one thing and try to cancel it. Someone said they might try to cancel it one day, and I say, 'Good let them cancel it—I've been paid!'"
Ricky, who has several incredible stand-up shows, is also known for his long-time work with Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington, which led to the highly successful series, An Idiot Abroad.
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© GC ImagesThe Office was a breakout role for Martin
Martin Freeman
Martin played the loveable Tim Canterbury in both series of the show. Although he was liked by his colleagues, the character was often unlucky in love and still lived with his parents.
The Office proved to be a breakout role for Martin, who has subsequently appeared in the likes of Love Actually, Sherlock, The Hobbit film series, The Responder and several Marvel films, including Black Panther and Secret Invasion.
Between 2000 and 2016, Martin was in a relationship with Amanda Abbington, and the former couple share two children, including their son, Joe, who has followed his parents into acting, leading The Institute in 2025.
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© WireImageMackenzie is best known for Pirates of the Caribbean
Mackenzie Crook
While Martin's Tim was a loveable character, Mackenzie's Gareth Keenan was the exact opposite, being a jobsworth who revelled in his title, despite his lack of authority. In the season finale, he succeeds David Brent after Tim turns down the opportunity.
Mackenzie swapped Slough for Hollywood, with the star following up his performance as Gareth by playing Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. He has also appeared in the likes of Game of Thrones and Worzel Gummidge, writing and directing the latter.
Mackenzie married former advertising executive Lindsay just months before The Office first aired, and the pair share two children.
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© FilmMagicLucy sadly has an incurable form of cancer
Lucy Davis
Lucy played receptionist Dawn Tinsley, the apple of Tim's eye, and the pair managed to get their happy ending in the show's final episode after she leaves her boyfriend for Tim, who is more supportive of her career aspirations.
The actress has since starred in Shaun of the Dead, Wonder Woman, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and The Villains of Valley View.
In 2006, she married the Welsh actor Owain Yeoman, with several of her The Office co-stars attending, but the couple ultimately divorced in 2011.
In August 2026, she confirmed that she had stage 4 breast cancer. She shared the news with a lengthy statement, ending it by poignantly saying: "I'm not scared of whatever comes next. I'm at peace with it. I'll see my Gracie sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home. Any and all grieving is for my family; it's far harder for them than for me."
