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PARIS: Prime Video is a fan of “The Office,” it seems. While the streaming platform launched an Australian version of the popular show, co-created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, in October, a new Mexican adaptation is now in the works, reports Variety. No release date has yet been announced.
In these new adventures, viewers will get to know the employees of a family soap company, Jabones Olimpo (Olympus Soaps), run by the infernal regional manager, Jerónimo Ponce III.
Called “La Oficina,” the series will be directed by Gary Alazraki, known for his hits “Nosotros los Nobles” and “Club de Cuervos.” Marcos Bucay, creator of “Cómo Sobrevivir Soltero,” will act as showrunner.
As part of the global agreement signed between Amazon MGM Studios and Máquina Vega, “La Oficina” will be available exclusively on Prime Video in Latin America, Brazil and Spain.
“It’s really exciting to do our own version of one of the most successful comedies of all time.
“The Mexican office worker subculture is one of the richest and most surreal in the world, and with Marcos Bucay and Gaz Alazraki, the two most successful comedy creators in the country, we know we have something unique that will surpass all expectations and leave fans of previous versions speechless,” said Alonso Aguilar, head of Mexico Originals at Amazon Studios.
“For over 20 years, multiple versions of ‘The Office’ have captivated audiences worldwide, and it’s exciting that Prime Video viewers in Latin America will now get to meet the Mexican version of David Brent with Jerónimo Ponce III stepping into the spotlight as the boss we hate to love,” said André Renaud, SVP global format sales at BBC Studios.
However, “La Oficina” is not the first Spanish-language version of the show, since “La Ofis” came to Chile in 2018.
The US version of the show, starring Steve Carell and John Krasinski, ran for nine seasons between 2005 and 2013 on NBC. Adapted from a British TV show, the series was a popular success, garnering five Emmy Awards and numerous nominations. The comedy show even became one of the most-watched series in the world.
Amazon Studios isn’t the only one looking for a slice of “The Office” and its enduring success. The BBC has already announced an adaptation for South Africa, in collaboration with the African streaming platform Showmax. An Arabic-language remake is also in the pipeline.