There are several shows that have tried to replace The Office since it ended in 2013, but Netflix has arguably come the closest to doing so – even if it wasn’t nearly as successful. Although it didn’t invent the mockumentary style of sitcom-making, The Office certainly played a huge role in popularizing the subgenre. So, successors like Modern Family and Parks and Recreation perhaps wouldn’t have existed without The Office‘s success. That being said, the show’s most direct descendant to date strayed from this approach, but retained Steve Carell.
Certain members of The Office‘s cast have gone on to further success since the show’s finale. As the show’s biggest name, Carell is one of the biggest examples of The Office stars to have done this, probably followed by John Krasinski. The Office‘s two highest-rated episodes are about Carell’s final regular appearance as Michael Scott and his return years later for the show’s last effort. So, if there were any arguments about how important he was to The Office‘s success, that should settle the debate. Even in 2025, Carell still hasn’t topped The Office as his best TV show.
Space Force Reunited Greg Daniels And Steve Carell (But Wasn’t As Funny As The Office)
Netflix’s attempt to replace The Office wasn’t as laden with laughs
Space Force ran for two seasons between 2020 and 2022, and it was the first project to bring The Office‘s showrunner and its biggest star back together. Greg Daniels was in charge throughout all nine seasons of The Office, and was a big part of why it was so successful. Of course, Carell’s contributions to the sitcom can’t be underestimated either, as proven by how much the show suffered when he left near the end of season 7. So, there were many who expected Space Force to be a mᴀssive hit because of the two men being collaborators once more.
Steve Carell played General Mark R. Naird in Space Force.
Space Force season 1 was generally quite well-received, but it failed to hit the same comedic heights as the previous time Carell and Daniels had worked together. It was still a workplace comedy, but nothing like The Office due to its militaristic setting. Carell was no longer playing the lovable idiot, but rather a husband and father trying to be the best family man he could be under difficult circumstances. It definitely had its moments, as proven by Netflix’s decision to greenlight Space Force season 2. Sadly, the attempt to recapture The Office‘s magic failed, and season 3 never happened.
Space Force Had An Amazing Cast, But The Characters Weren’t As Interesting
Carell was joined by other big Hollywood stars
Whereas The Office‘s cast initially consisted primarily of relative unknowns, Space Force went the opposite direction while sourcing its cast. The Netflix show sought out huge names from the sitcom world while also snagging a few big stars from Hollywood at large. Perhaps the most notable was the presence of Friends‘ Lisa Kudrow, who played Mark’s incarcerated wife, Maggie Naird. John Malkovich also starred as Dr. Adrian Mallory, and Ben Schwartz played F. Tony Scarapiducci Tony Scarapudduci, essentially offering a toned-down version of his performance as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein from Parks and Rec.
Space Force lacked characters as compelling as The Office, and it was very easy to tell in a matter of minutes that the Space Force cast lacked the same level of chemistry as Carell’s other ensemble.
Despite its stacked call sheet, Space Force lacked characters as compelling as The Office, and it was very easy to tell in a matter of minutes that the Space Force cast lacked the same level of chemistry as Carell’s other ensemble. They weren’t boring, and the performances were very good, but this element of the show was always going to be closely compared to The Office. This was perhaps an unfair benchmark for Space Force to reach so quickly, as The Office built up its characters over many seasons into the beloved figures they became. Still, that’s what happened.
Space Force’s Budget And Critical Reception Likely Played A Role In The Show’s Cancelation
Carell was taking a hefty wage for his performances as General Naird
Space Force season 1 performed just well enough for Netflix to order another run, but it didn’t sufficiently improve on the second time out to warrant a season 3. People were watching it, it’s just that critical reception wasn’t where Netflix wanted it to be. Plus, the show was not cheap to make. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Steve Carell’s salary on its own amounted to a staggering $1 million per episode. For a price tag like that, plus other big expenses, it’s not surprising that Netflix wanted more from Space Force than lukewarm reviews.
Certain efforts were taken to try and make Space Force season 2 work better. Firstly, production was moved from Los Angeles to Vancouver, and Daniels wasn’t the only showrunner on the show’s second run. The hope was that Space Force would grow and change as The Office did, but nothing Netflix tried managed to instill the desired transformation. Even now, Space Force only boasts a 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a more favorable audience rating of 77%. So, with the show not justifying its high price tag or garnering enough positive reviews, it was axed.
Space Force’s Failure Is A Reminder That Replicating The Office’s Success Is Not Easy
The Office was so successful for reasons beyond Carell & Daniels’ efforts
The level of The Office‘s success is what many studios fantasize about. It’s an example of capturing lightning in a bottle where all the various elements came together in the right place and at the right time. Even the guest stars made memorable contributions to the show, which, while not uncommon, is not an easy thing to achieve. There were a lot of moving parts and key personnel both in front of and behind the camera, and Steve Carell and Greg Daniels were only part of the formula that made The Office what it was.
I actually liked Space Force, but it was obvious from the beginning it would never reach the same heights as The Office.
Therefore, Space Force only had a very small percentage of what it needed to even attempt to replicate The Office‘s triumphs. The replacement stars and other personnel didn’t gel nearly as well with the show’s creator and leading man, despite Netflix’s hopes that Daniels could do it again if he had Carell by his side. I actually liked Space Force, but it was obvious from the beginning it would never reach the same heights as The Office.
The Office‘s upcoming spinoff show could be the replacement fans were hoping Space Force would be. Although the new project, which also involves Greg Daniels, seems to be prioritizing new stars rather than returning faces, it’s the only show to officially be set in the same canon since the US version’s finale, despite the many international adaptations. Still, as it’s unlikely to include Carell, especially as a series regular, it remains to be seen just how close to the original The Office‘s next chapter can be.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Rotten Tomatoes
