Rainn Wilson is opening up about one of the most challenging eras in The Office’s nine-season run: the aftermath of Steve Carell’s departure. Appearing on the Good Guys podcast, the actor — beloved for his iconic portrayal of Dwight Schrute — spoke candidly with hosts Josh Peck and Ben Soffer about how the hit NBC comedy struggled to find its footing once its leading man walked away in 2011.
According to Wilson, the shift was significant and deeply felt across the cast and production team.
“When Steve left, then it was a little bit chaotic of trying to figure out the tone of the show and who’s the lead,” Wilson admitted. “How are we telling these stories without, you know, the comic engine of the show, which is Michael Scott? Without one of the greatest comic actors in American history at the center of our show. That was also a struggle.”
The Cast Saw Carell’s Exit Coming
Despite the turmoil that followed, Wilson emphasized that Carell’s departure hardly came as a shock to those working with him. At the time, Carell’s film career had already taken off, and the cast was well aware he was outgrowing the confines of weekly network television.
“He was such a big movie star at the time,” Wilson explained. When asked how he reacted to the news that Carell was leaving, he responded simply: “We knew it was coming for a long time.”
Carell’s post-Office résumé blossomed quickly. After stepping away from the sitcom, he went on to star in Crazy, Stupid, Love., expand his role in the Despicable Me franchise, appear in Hope Springs, and deliver a celebrated performance in The Way Way Back.
But even during his tenure as Michael Scott, Carell was juggling major film projects. Wilson pointed to movies like The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and Get Smart, which had him headlining large studio releases. “He was doing these big comedies… movies that were in 2,000 theaters at the multiplex,” Wilson said. “So of course he’s going to leave The Office when he can!”
The Legacy of Michael Scott
Carell’s performance as the painfully awkward yet strangely lovable office manager earned him six consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Despite never taking home the statue, his portrayal became one of the most defining characters in modern TV comedy — and helped launch him into full-fledged movie stardom.
His exit left a void that even a rotating lineup of guest stars and new characters couldn’t fully fill. Yet the series managed to push forward for two additional seasons, ultimately wrapping in 2013. Fittingly, Carell returned for a brief but emotional appearance in the series finale, allowing fans to say goodbye to Michael Scott one more time.
A New Era for the Franchise
While the original series has long since wrapped, its legacy continues to grow. A new mockumentary-style series set in the same universe — titled The Paper — has been ordered by Peacock and is slated to premiere in September. Though not a reboot, the show will carry the DNA of The Office, offering fans a fresh take on the comedic documentary format that the original helped define.
As for Wilson, his reflections underscore how pivotal Carell was to the success of The Office. Losing its comedic anchor created uncertainty — but also pushed the rest of the ensemble to step into a new era of storytelling.
Still, for many fans and cast members alike, there’s only one Michael Scott. And as Wilson’s comments make clear, the absence of Steve Carell marked the beginning of a complicated, transformative chapter behind the scenes of the beloved workplace comedy.
