Dwight Schrute is a fan-favorite character from The Office, so much so that he almost got his own spinoff series. The Office premiered in 2005 on NBC and lasted nine seasons. Despite having ended in 2014, the series has gained a fan resurgence due to syndication and its dominance on Netflix.
Much like Friends, The Office found much success with viewers due to its ensemble cast. The sitcom featured a wide array of characters that worked well together. The wacky storylines and hijinks were accentuated through the show’s method of filming as if it was a documentary; by breaking the fourth wall, The Office was able to give viewers a closer look into the minds of their favorite characters. And, due to Dwight Schrute’s eccentric behavior, it’s understandable why the network wanted to give him more screentime.
Dwight (Rainn Wilson) almost got his own spinoff from The Office following its finale which would have been titled, The Farm. The seventeenth episode of The Office’s ninth and final season actually served as the backdoor pilot, introducing Dwight’s family after the death of his aunt Shirley. The Farm would have focused on expert beet-farmer Dwight, his brother Jeb (Thomas Middleditch), and his sister Fannie (Majandra Delfino) take over the land that his aunt left behind.
However, the backdoor was not well received by viewers. Many fans felt that it lacked the elements that made The Office so great. Further, even though Wilson’s portrayal as Dwight had long been praised, most viewers believed it was too late for a spinoff. The Office was nearing the end and it was time for the cast and the fans to move on. NBC clearly agreed because they ultimately passed on the spinoff, which brought on an official end to the characters within The Office.
It’s not clear what would have happened to Dwight on The Office if The Farm would have been picked up. The plan was allegedly to have Wilson disappear from the final handful of episodes, which would have been confusing for fans. Although even he remained, the knowledge of more story surely would have changed the outcome of the ending. Dwight notably married Angela following the one-year time-jump in the series finale. Would Angela have been in The Farm or would The Office’s ending be completely different?
Either way, NBC seemed to have made the best decision. The spinoff could have exhausted the character of Dwight Schrute. Fans want to remember him how he was throughout The Office. Adding another chapter to his history could have altered perceptions of not only the character, but the entire show. As is the case with a mooted revival - something that NBC has contemplated in the past - maybe it’s better to just let the original series of The Office stand on its own.
Next: 4 British Shows That Need An American Spinoff (& 6 That Just Wouldn’t Work)
