when did the office start

The Office started on July 9, 2001, as the original British version aired on BBC Two. The American version of The Office premiered later on March 24, 2005, on NBC in the United States. The British version was created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, while the American adaptation was developed by Greg Daniels and starred Steve Carell as the regional manager Michael Scott. Both versions are mockumentary-style comedies centered on office employees in a paper company setting.