‘The Office’: These Four Cast Members Also Wrote for the Show
Spanning nine seasons, The Office is often thought to be one of the best comedic television shows in history. With a star-studded cast, it boasts laugh out loud moments, over the top characters, and of course plenty of romance. But, what truly makes the show so exceptional is the way it is written. The writing is as sharp as it is unique. In fact, the writing is so off-they-wall that many fans of the show are convinced that much of the show is improvised. Most fans know that Netflix’s most-watched show has several talented writers behind it. However, viewers might be surprised to know just how many of their favorite cast members also wrote for the show.
B.J. Noak as Ryan Howard
Of all the characters in the series, Ryan Howard had one of the most drastic character arcs. Ryan started out as the straight-laced, hot, temp who Michael couldn’t get enough of. In season one, Ryan is often viewed as a voice of reason. However, as the years pass he becomes more and more unhinged. After landing a corporate position at Dunder Mifflin, he develops a cocaine habit and is arrested for fraud. From there, he continues spiraling and becomes the douche that everyone loves to hate. Ryan is brilliantly portrayed by B.J. Novak, who was actually the very first person cast to be hired for The Office as both a writer and an actor. Novak famously penned countless episodes, one which is the beloved episode “Diversity Day.”
Mindy Kaling as Kelly Kapoor
You may know Mindy Kaling as the vapid yet loveable Kelly Kapoor, but her role on The Office was so much more than that. When she wasn’t chasing after Ryan or adding levity to any situation as Kelly, Kaling was serving as a writer and a producer for the show. When Kaling was hired as a writer, there was always a plan that she would act for the show also. However, it took a while for Kaling and the other writers to decide how she could be best utilized. Ultimately, they found the perfect fit for her within the cast while she simultaneously wrote brilliant episodes like “The Injury.”
Paul Lieberstein as Toby Flenderson
What would The Office be without everyone’s favorite wet blanket, HR rep, Toby Flenderson? Michael Scott’s hatred of him is truly so enjoyable to watch. Funnily enough, Paul Lieberstien was never supposed to join the cast, His role as Toby was only meant to be a brief cameo. However, one of the network executives quickly fell in love with the character because of the relationship between Michael and him, and thus Lieberstein quickly became a series regular. When Lieberstein wasn’t acting as Toby, he was serving as a producer for the show and writing episodes like “The Coup.”
Michael Shur as Mose Schrute
Undoubtedly one of the strangest characters in the cast of The Office is Mose Schrute, cousin to everyone’s favorite Assistant to the Regional Manager, Dwight K. Schrute. Mose lives on the farm with Dwight and has very few lines throughout the series. However, he always manages to stand out in the few scenes he is a part of. Michael Shur is the creative force behind the character, the writer behind “The Negotiation” episode as well as countless others.
With such a multi-talented cast, it’s no wonder the series is still so popular today. All of these writers have gone on to be a part of other brilliant projects following The Office. If there ever is a reunion of the show, we hope they will reprise their roles as both actors and writers.
