US adaptation to end after nine series

The American version of The Office is to end next year after its ninth series.

Executive producer Greg Daniels said it was time to end the goings-on at Dundler Mifflin.

Speaking at a press conference, he said: ‘At some point you have a choice: to always tell the beginnings of stories and the middles or to allow a story to end. And I think endings can be very powerful and meaningful pieces of the story.’

He said he hoped original office box Steve Carell would return for the finale, saying: 'We're not going to put much pressure on Steve by writing something that could only work if he returned. But it would be fantastic if he returned.’

Carell left the show after series seven as his film career took off.

Daniels is returning to be the full-time ‘showrunner’ for this final series, after spending four years splitting his time between the show and fellow hit sitcom Parks And Recreations. He is also working on the remake of another British series, Friday Night Dinner, for NBC.

The ninth and final series starts in the US on September 20. and will feature Catherine Tate in a regular role.

Published: 22 Aug 2012