Dwight Shrute is arguably (at least for me) one of the better sitcom characters since SEINFELD’s George Costanza. He seems so perfectly developed. His rural upbringing, arrogance and generally frightening intensity – along with a perfect execution by Rainn Wilson – have helped mould him into a very memorable character.
THE OFFICE is now in its eighth season and to be perfectly honest, despite still being a very good show, it isn’t nearly as good as it once was. Steve Carell’s absence is part of the problem but additionally it seems like the entire cast have formed more of a family like relationship over the years. This has de-railed from the original semi-distant, forget-about-colleagues-after-work set up that the show originally had in place.
It’s possible that the show might be coming to an end fairly soon and so it’s a relief to learn that a Dwight Shrute spinoff is potentially in the works. Although the show wouldn’t be aired until 2013 rumor has it that Rainn Wilson is trying to get the pilot episode included into a mid-season episode of THE OFFICE, provided a ninth season is commissioned.
The spinoff starring Wilson will be produced by Paul Lieberstein (Toby) and will supposedly be based around Dwight’s beet farm (Shrute Farms) which will also double as a bed and breakfast.
A source close to THE OFFICE revealed a few juicy details:
‘A while ago, it started to feel like a show to them. NBC agreed, it’s been further developed to include multiple generations, many cousins and neighbors. (It is unclear if that would include cousin Mose who has been featured on the show, played by Office alum and Parks & Recreation co-creator Mike Schur.) At its base it will be about a family farm struggling to survive and a family trying to stay together.’
Current cast members of THE OFFICE are being asked if they would like to take part in the show but as of yet any comments are inconclusive, although it looks as if characters Pam and Jim Halpert would likely make an appearance.
Overkill is a terrible thing and one can only hope that once THE OFFICE ends, that this spin-off will maintain the quality laid out or even raise the bar just like Parks and Recreation did. Hopefully more details will arrive soon, but until then there is still a lot of enjoyment to be had in the current story-lines playing out in THE OFFICE.
