Felicity Ward Discusses Her Role as the First Female Boss in 'The Office' Australia Amid Online Criticism
Felicity Ward, the talented Australian comedian and actress, has stepped into the iconic world of The Office in its latest adaptation set in Australia, marking a significant milestone as the first female boss in the franchise. This new version, released on October 18 on Amazon Prime Video (outside of the U.S.), stays true to the beloved Office formula while injecting it with a fresh Aussie perspective. Ward plays Hannah Howard, the somewhat delusional yet optimistic managing director of a packaging company in Western Sydney, following in the footsteps of famously quirky bosses like David Brent and Michael Scott.
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The Australian take on The Office is the 13th version of the hit mockumentary-style series originally created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant back in 2001. The show has garnered significant global attention, not only because of its humor but also due to Ward's role as the first woman to lead the office environment, a twist that has sparked both excitement and backlash online. Ward herself anticipated some resistance from die-hard fans, stating that “of course they’re going to come for me” — a reflection of how deeply personal and territorial fandoms can be when it comes to beloved shows. However, she’s no stranger to this type of reaction, having spent over a decade navigating the tough world of stand-up comedy.
While comparisons to the British and American versions of The Office are inevitable, Ward and her team have aimed to create something uniquely Australian, blending the laid-back, deadpan humor of New Zealand (with several Kiwis involved in the production) and the more bold, irreverent tone of Aussie comedy. Hannah Howard, as Ward describes her, is an “optimistic delusionist” — a joyful, bumbling chump who is far more likable than her British counterpart, David Brent, yet carries similar traits of overconfidence and cluelessness.
Ward, who didn’t watch much of the previous Office adaptations while preparing for the role, emphasized that the new Australian version is filled with its own original stories, characters, and plotlines. It’s important to note that the American Office faced similar backlash when it first debuted 20 years ago, only to become one of the most beloved sitcoms in TV history. Ward’s lighthearted and refreshing attitude toward the pressures of leading this iconic series reflects her humor and resilience. She dismisses online negativity with a laugh, refusing to read comments or articles about herself, staying focused instead on her craft.
Whether or not The Office Australia reaches the same iconic status as its predecessors remains to be seen, but Ward is certainly game for the challenge. With her comedic chops and endearing portrayal of Hannah Howard, she’s set on making Australians — and the world — laugh, no matter the initial online backlash.
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