Bob Odenkirk reveals why he lost Michael Scott role to Steve Carell

Bob Odenkirk has recently talked about missing out on the lead role in the US remake of The Office.

The star of Better Call Saul was initially a strong contender for the role of Michael Scott, the bumbling office manager. However, the part eventually went to Anchorman actor Steve Carell.

Odenkirk discussed this pivotal moment during an appearance on the popular Office rewatch podcast Office Ladies, hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. Fischer and Kinsey starred as Pam Beesly and Angela Martin on the sitcom.

“I am, in a strange way, a very earnest person for a person in comedy,” Odenkirk reflected. “I am oddly earnest, and… it’s one of the reasons I think Steve Carell is a better fit for the role.”

He mentioned that Carell had been chosen over him for several roles in the past, noting, “It’s because he’s better at being genuinely fun. I think I bring a bit too much earnest seriousness to the table, and there’s nothing I can do about it except play other roles where it’s helpful.”

Despite losing the role to Carell, Odenkirk guest-starred on The Office years later in the ninth season episode titled “Moving On.”

Steve Carell portrayed Michael Scott for the first seven seasons of the show before leaving and being replaced by Ed Helms of The Hangover fame. Carell returned as a guest for the final season.

In the podcast interview, Odenkirk suggested that his inability to be a “purely light character” may have led him towards more dramatic roles.

“You just are looking for the darkness [in me], and that’s actually great in drama,” he shared. “That’s a plus, you know? But in comedy, it’s not a plus.”

Odenkirk first became widely known on US television as one of the leads of the influential HBO sketch series Mr. Show.

His role as the sleazy lawyer Jimmy “Saul Goodman” McGill, which began in the series Breaking Bad and continued in his own spin-off Better Call Saul, brought him widespread acclaim.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Universal Television had commissioned a new spin-off series in the same universe as The Office.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new cast will be led by The White Lotus star Sabrina Impacciatore and Domhnall Gleeson of About Time.

Source: The Independent, The Hollywood Reporter