1. The idea to create a U.S. version of The Office started after TV producer Ben Silverman happened to catch an episode of the UK version while vacationing in London in 2001.
2. Greg Daniels, who adapted the show from the original UK series, originally developed the script thinking it would be for HBO or FX.
3. Paul Giamatti was NBC’s first choice to play Michael Scott; he turned down the role.
4. Before his audition, Steve Carell had only seen about five minutes of the U.K. version of The Office.
5. Seth Rogen auditioned for the role of Dwight.
6. Originally Jim and Pam were an interracial couple.
Jim would’ve been White and Pam would've been African-American. Actress Erica Vittina Phillips would have played Pam.