While one international iteration of the beloved sitcom mockumentary series The Office may conclude, another often emerges elsewhere in the world. Last month, Prime Video announced the cancellation of the Australian version after a single season, despite garnering positive critical reception with a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This adaptation notably featured the format's first female lead, Felicity Ward, though audience reception in Australia was less enthusiastic, potentially contributing to its early closure.

Now, the 14th international adaptation of the U.K. original is set to premiere in South Africa on Showmax on January 20, 2026. Titled Die Kantoor, this new series will also offer an early preview of Episode 1 on the broadcaster kykNET on January 18, preceding its two-episode debut on the African streaming service. Unlike previous versions set in a paper company, Die Kantoor will follow the daily lives of workers at a polony manufacturer called Deluxe Processed Meats, a decidedly unglamorous setting that promises unique comedic opportunities.

At the heart of the South African adaptation is Flip, portrayed by 2025 Fleur du Cap award winner Albert Pretorius. Flip serves as the show's equivalent to Michael Scott or David Brent, a manager brimming with delusions of grandeur who believes the documentary crew is there to capture his moment of glory. The ensemble cast also features South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) winner Schalk Bezuidenhout, alongside Lida Botha, Carl Beukes, Ilse Oppelt, Daniah de Villiers, Mehboob Bawa, Sipumziwe Lucwaba, and newcomer Gert du Plessis.

Bennie Fourie, another SAFTA winner and co-creator of kykNET's acclaimed comedy series Hotel, is both writing and directing Die Kantoor. Fourie expressed the immense honor of tackling The Office, an iconic sitcom that previously inspired his own work on Hotel. His primary vision for Die Kantoor was to tailor it specifically to South African culture, stating, "South Africa is not the U.K., and it’s not the U.S., and we really wanted to reflect that." This cultural identity is further emphasized through the mundane setting of a polony manufacturer, chosen to contrast with South Africa's proud meat-consuming culture, as polony is humorously described as "just so flippen pink" and not a source of national pride, especially after a Listeriosis outbreak.

Internationally, no adaptation of The Office has achieved the enduring success of the Steve Carell-led U.S. sitcom, with most international versions not surviving past their first season. However, there have been notable exceptions. The German adaptation, Stromberg, enjoyed a successful five-season run from 2004 to 2012 and even spawned a spin-off film in 2014. Finland's Konttori managed three seasons, despite mixed viewer reception. Among currently running series, Poland's The Office PL continues to thrive, recently debuting its fifth season on Canal+ and taking viewers back to the Kropliczanka mineral water company.

In the United States, the official spin-off, The Paper, has captivated audiences. This series follows the original documentary crew into the workplace of a struggling Ohio newspaper. Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, and starring Domhnall Gleeson as the Toledo Truth Teller's eager editor, The Paper's first season was a critical and popular success, earning an 85% score from critics and 70% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Peacock showed early confidence by ordering a second season before the first's release, a decision that proved fruitful as the show has become an enduring streaming hit. Episodes of The Paper are currently airing on Mondays on NBC, bringing its new employees and returning cast member Oscar Nuñez to a broader audience.