Make sure you’re sitting down. We have a bit of bad news. Netflix have taken the American version of ‘The Office’ off their streaming service.
We know, we know, but please try and remain calm.
The streaming service previously had all eight series of the irreverent American sitcom, which was based on Ricky Gervais’ original British series of the same name.
However, Netflix users were disappointed on Thursday (1 October), to discover that their beloved sitcom was gone without a trace.
And when we say “disappointed”, we mean “crestfallen”, “broken-hearted”, “infuriated” and, actually, “a little bit frightening”...
One fan has even taken it upon herself to try and bring around a positive change, by setting up a petition on Change.org to get it reinstated on the service.
She writes: “This decision is quite frankly baffling, considering the fact that ‘The Office US’ is one of the most popular shows on Netflix UK.
“It's available on Amazon Prime (as well as ‘Parks and Recreation’ - *cough*) - so what's the point in Netflix now? Apart from a few Netflix only shows - nothing. There is no point. Netflix is dead to me.”
While the UK service no longer offers the sitcom, its US counterpart currently still has it available for streaming.
During its time on the air, ‘The Office US’ boasted Steve Carrell, John Krasinski, Katy Bates, Idris Elba and Catherine Tate among its cast members.
The show wrapped up in 2013, with a double-length finale (which had a decidedly happier ending than its UK equivalent).
UK TV Remakes The US Got Right
"The Office"(01 of03)
Open Image ModalOriginal UK Series: "The Office"Ricky Gervais' British sitcom "The Office" premiered in 2001 and followed the employees of the fictional Wernham Hogg Paper Company. Though it only lasted two seasons in the UK, it lives on in the US. The American version starred Steve Carell and made him a highly-coveted film actor, and did the same for John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer and more of its stars. Now going into its ninth season, the dry humor and mockumentary-style series about the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company employees set the tone for many more comedies to come (i.e. "Modern Family"). (credit:NBC)
"What Not to Wear"(02 of03)
Open Image ModalOriginal UK Series: "What Not to Wear"The BAFTA-nominated original UK series "What Not To Wear" had Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine makeover some of the UK's most awfully dressed Brits for five seasons (before they left and Lisa Butcher and Mica Paris took over for the show's sixth and seventh seasons). Though the US installment of "What Not to Wear" premiered shortly thereafter with a bit of a rough start with Wayne Scot Lukas, the American version found its footing in Season 2. The dynamic between Stacy London and Clinton Kelly has helped the show last for nine seasons and counting. (credit:TLC)
"The Inbetweeners"(03 of03)
Open Image ModalOriginal UK Series: "The Inbetweeners"Though time will tell if the MTV adaptation will be able to rival the cult appeal of the original, the first three episodes of the new comedy prove just as charming as the British show, albeit in distinctly American ways. British humor may be dry and acerbic, but the new cast has undeniable chemistry and comic timing, and it will be interesting to see where the show goes when it starts utilizing its original material, rather than the six episodes it based on the UK series. (credit:MTV)