The Office (U.S. Season 5) - Cast

Cast

See also: List of The Office (U.S. TV series) cast members

Many characters portrayed by The Office cast are based on the British version of the show. While these characters normally have the same attitude and perceptions as their British counterparts, the roles have been redesigned to better fit the American show. The show is known for its generally large cast size, with many of its actors and actresses known particularly for their improvisational work. Steve Carell stars as Michael Scott, Regional Manager of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch. Loosely based on David Brent, Gervais' character in the British version, Scott is a dim-witted and lonely man, who attempts to win friends as the office comedian, usually making himself look bad in the process. Rainn Wilson portrays Dwight Schrute, who, based upon Gareth Keenan, is the Assistant to the Regional Manager, although the character frequently fails to include "to the" in his title. John Krasinski portrays Jim Halpert, a sales representative, assistant manager, and prankster, who is based upon Tim Canterbury, and is in love with Pam Beesly, the receptionist. Jenna Fischer portrays Pam, who is based on Dawn Tinsley. She is shy, but in many cases a cohort with Jim in his pranks on Dwight. B. J. Novak portrays Ryan Howard, based on Ricky Howard and Neil Godwin, who at the end of the fourth season was arrested while acting as Vice President, North East Region and Director of New Media, returns to Scranton as a temp on the fifth season. On the episode "Frame Toby", Novak's character leaves the office to travel to Thailand. Novak actually took a leave of absence from the show to appear in Quentin Tarantino's film, Inglourious Basterds, although he still resumed his role later in the season.

The show includes many minor characters playing roles of office workers. Angela Martin, Oscar Martinez, and Kevin Malone, based on Keith Bishop, are the office's accountants, and are portrayed by Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, and Brian Baumgartner, respectively. Schrute, Halpert, Phyllis Lapin-Vance (portrayed by Phyllis Smith), Stanley Hudson (portrayed by Leslie David Baker), and Andy Bernard (portrayed by Ed Helms) compose the sales division of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Although not one of the original cast members, Andy is considered by many people one of the lead roles and in the season 6 episode "Sabre" he was added to the opening credits. Kate Flannery portrays Meredith Palmer, the promiscuous Supplier Relations Representative, writer-actress Mindy Kaling portrays Kelly Kapoor, the pop-culture obsessed Customer Service Representative, writer-actor Paul Lieberstein portrays Toby Flenderson, the sad-eyed Human Resources Representative who left to Costa Rica on the fourth season finale, who returns to replace Holly Flax, portrayed by Amy Ryan, Michael's love interest. Creed Bratton plays a fictionalized version of himself as the office's Quality Assurance Officer. Other characters include Warehouse Supervisor Darryl Philbin, played by Craig Robinson, and Jan Levenson, former Dunder Mifflin employee and Michael's ex-girlfriend, who is portrayed by Melora Hardin, although she was only present in the beginning of the season. Also Erin Hannon played by Ellie Kemper, debuted in season five as the new receptionist after Pam left for the Michael Scott Paper Company. She is the new love interest of Andy.