The Office Revival: 10 Boss Suggestions

Entertainment Weekly hosts a Special Screening of 20th Century Fox's 'ALIEN: COVENANT', New York, USA - 15 May 2017

DANNY MCBRIDE

If we're looking to take a flamethrower to the old Office model, McBride's brilliantly crude, in-your-face persona would be a fun fit in the boss' chair. The Eastbound & Down star can play the bully, the sleaze and the immature whiner — all the elements of a truly terrible executive.

"Veep" Season 6 TV series - 2017

HUGH LAURIE

With his Hulu series Chance unlikely to return, the former Dr. House is free to inflict his withering stare on a fresh crop of paper salesmen. And his too-short stint on Veep just left us wishing he had a comedy series of his own to headline. 

'Baby Driver' European film premiere, Arrivals, London, UK - 21 Jun 2017

JON HAMM

Hear us out on this one: Yes, the former Mad Men star is best known for dramatic roles. But he's displayed a deft comedic touch on SNL, and this could be a career-changing role for him, a la Alec Baldwin on 30 Rock. Plus, Hamm's renowned handsomeness could be an asset here: Imagine him playing an incompetent corporate stooge who only rose to the level of boss thanks to his good looks.

2017 GQ Men of the Year Party, Los Angeles, USA - 07 Dec 2017

KYLE MACLACHLAN

The Twin Peaks star certainly has the gravitas to play boss, and Portlandia fans know he can play off-the-wall goofy, too, from his years as Portland's wacky mayor. (He got pretty wacky in Showtime's Twin Peaks revival, too, actually.) Besides, we already know he likes a damn fine cup of coffee.

'Downsizing' film premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 18 Dec 2017

LAURA DERN

Her two seasons as annoyingly idealistic corporate crusader Amy Jellicoe on HBO's Enlightened were the perfect test run for her taking the reins at Dunder Mifflin. And if you saw her on Big Little Lies, you know she can play just about anything.

AFI Life Achievement Award Gala, Show, Los Angeles, USA - 08 Jun 2017

LISA KUDROW

Who better to play "benevolently clueless" than the former Phoebe Buffay? And her Emmy-nominated work as The Comeback's Valerie Cherish proved she can balance cringe comedy with heart-wrenching dramatic notes. Best of all, she can strum out a new jingle for Dunder Mifflin on her acoustic guitar!  

NY Premiere of "Molly's Game", New York, USA - 13 Dec 2017

MICHAEL CERA

Yes, the Arrested Development alum still isn't quite 30 years old — which makes him an inspired choice. He could play a business prodigy who's prematurely risen through the ranks and now has to supervise people twice his age. (And you thought Ryan Howard's brief stint as VP was bad.) 

The Mindy Project TV show final season event Los Angeles USA 12 Sep 2017

MINDY KALING

If a former Office employee comes back to play boss, our vote goes to Kaling, whose ridiculously superficial Kelly Kapoor would make an amazing (read: awful) supervisor. Plus, as a writer on the original series, she could help connect the revival to its roots on the page as well. Think about it: Doesn't it make a weird amount of sense that Kelly would be the only one still working at Dunder Mifflin after all these years? 

"Girls Trip" Film - 2017

TIFFANY HADDISH

She's one of the funniest people in Hollywood right now, thanks to her outrageous breakout role in Girls Trip. (And she has a relationship with NBC, from the cancelled Carmichael Show.) Plus, she'd undeniably bring a wild new energy to the Scranton branch. We can just picture the holiday parties now...

"Veep" Season 6 TV series - 2017

TIMOTHY SIMONS

With Veep entering its final season, Simons is available for a well-deserved promotion — and we already know we can play a crass, oblivious jerk to perfection. Although NBC may have to invest in additional censors to bleep out all the profanities. 

Recommended