‘The Office’ Casting Director Says NBC Wanted Philip Seymour Hoffman or Paul Giamatti to Play Michael Scott

During their Office Ladies podcast, stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey spoke to the show’s casting director, Allison Jones, who revealed that NBC initially didn’t want Steve Carell for the role of Michael Scott. “I remember vividly the first meeting we had with the network when [creator Greg Daniels] had a list of names and they were like, Let’s try Philip Seymour Hoffman. And then, you know, let’s go for Paul Giamatti or whatever,” Jones said. But Daniels wanted to maintain the authenticity of the British series and prioritize casting real people who resembled office workers. Jones also mentioned that other actors auditioned for the role. “We brought in the best of the best,” she explained. “Everybody was a different version of Michael Scott that could have worked. Patton Oswalt could have worked. Bob Odenkirk would have been amazing.” (People)