What many might have missed is Dakota Johnson’s surprise appearance in the immensely popular US version of The Office. Long before her Hollywood breakthrough, she was extended a minor role in the sitcom, a show she was genuinely a fan of. Despite her excitement, she became part of the cast during its final season, which left her feeling like an outsider throughout the entire experience.
Just like many others this show also held a special place among her favorites, and moving amongst her idols for two weeks was like stepping into a dream. Yet, due to the finale emotions running high, that dream swiftly evolved into a nightmare she couldn’t get out of, and in this case, the actress described her situation as getting stuck at a birthday party she wasn’t invited to, which is much worse than a nightmare.
Dakota Johnson’s Experience in The Office
During a conversation with Vanity Fair, the actress, Dakota Johnson openly shared that while her involvement proved to be a very fruitful journey, the timing wasn’t particularly favorable. The existing camaraderie within the sitcom’s cast was already robust, and Johnson’s entry during the show’s concluding season further complicated her integration into the group. The unexpected return of Steve Carell and the overarching finale of the season combined led the actress to feel like an outsider amidst it all. She said,
“I’m in it for like three minutes, and I spent two weeks on that set. I was there every day, all day. I felt like I was crashing someone’s birthday party when they actually really didn’t mean to invite me, and then I was stuck there.”
In the grand finale of the ninth season, a tradition common to such occasions, the roster of cast members was notably extensive. With most of the original characters moving on in various capacities, a fresh wave of cast joined to propel the company forward. Amid this transitioning landscape, the actress made her appearance as the new accountant, taking over from Kevin Malone. While her storyline was pretty simple, a potential romantic undertone was hinted at between her character and Clark. Thus, though her cameo might fade from memory, it left her with a subtle realization that she can’t ever forget and made her feel that she wasn’t meant to stand among the show’s core ensemble.
Dakota Johnson Was Supposed to Be in The Office Spin-off
Unveiling further insights, Dakota Johnson disclosed that her fleeting appearance in The Office held more significance than it may have initially seemed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. In fact, it served as a stage to introduce a fresh wave of employees into the realm of Dunder Mifflin, hinting at the potential for a spin-off to follow the footsteps of the widely acclaimed series. She said,
“If everything else just falls away, maybe you’ll find me in that Office spinoff that no one wants to watch,–I don’t know in what world that would’ve worked for me creatively. I have found that when something is successful, even when there’s nothing left, they just keep trying to wring out the towel of story. Sometimes things need to end when they’re supposed to end.”
Despite being an ardent superfan of the show, the actress is glad that the spin-off never materialized. This circumstance in turn provided her with the chance to shape her own trajectory within the entertainment industry. Before achieving Hollywood stardom, she navigated through a series of minor roles. Thus spending a mere couple of weeks on The Office set wasn’t her solitary brush with recognition, nor was it her sole crowning achievement. Gazing into her past, the actress’s presence can be traced in other noteworthy productions such as The Social Network, 21 Jump Street, and The Five-Year Engagement. This pattern of involvement extends beyond the silver screen, spanning TV series as well.
Source: Vanity Fair
