Dakota Johnson revealed that filming the finale of The Office was one of the most difficult experiences of her career, describing it as
“the worst time of [her] life.”
This candid admission came during her appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, where she reflected on her involvement in the beloved American sitcom’s farewell episodes. Johnson’s remarks shed light on the realities behind wrapping up a long-running series and the challenges faced by guest stars caught in the complex dynamics of a departing cast.
In the two-part series finale, Johnson appeared as a new Dunder Mifflin accountant named Dakota, hired by Rainn Wilson’s character Dwight Schrute to replace Kevin Malone, played by Brian Baumgartner. Although her role was initially considered as a potential lead for a spin-off series, that plan quietly dissolved between the finale airing and the following pilot season. Johnson expressed frustration with the final result, saying she expected to be on set for only a short time but ended up filming for two weeks with minimal screen presence.
“I loved that show so much,”
Johnson shared with Meyers.
And they were like, ‘Do you want to be in the series finale?’ I was like, ‘Of course,’ thinking that I’d show up for like half a day. I was there for two weeks, and I’m barely in the f***ing show.
Johnson also recounted the difficulties of entering a cast that had spent a decade together and was grappling with the emotional weight of saying goodbye. She described feeling isolated amid the fatigue and tension surrounding the final days of production.
There were weird dynamics, and I’m coming in like, ‘So excited to be here!’ and no one wanted to talk to me. Nobody gave a f**k,
she said, illustrating the loneliness of a newcomer in a worn-out environment.
The Decline of The Office as Steve Carell’s Departure Took Its Toll
Despite the troubles behind the scenes, The Office finale is frequently praised for providing a satisfying conclusion, including the return of Steve Carell’s Michael Scott and his trademark humor. However, the show’s ninth season, following Carell’s exit, was widely seen as uneven and strained. The series struggled to maintain its tone and momentum, introducing numerous new characters and convoluted storylines that failed to resonate with audiences.
The introduction of characters like Brian, a boom mic operator who briefly interfered in the relationship between Jim and Pam, and the influx of new faces felt forced, demonstrating the show’s difficulty in evolving without its core cast. The ninth season was marked by inconsistent writing and a strained attempt to balance fan service with network demands for more episodes, which contributed to a sense of creative fatigue among both cast and viewers.
Johnson’s uncomfortable experience during the finale mirrored this late-stage complexity. Intended to signal a new chapter, her character ultimately underscored how challenging it can be to keep a beloved show relevant beyond its natural lifespan. Reflecting on this, Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter,
“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,”
she said.
Sometimes things need to end when they’re supposed to end.
Peacock’s New Series ‘The Paper’ Attempts to Revive The Office’s Style
Following The Office’s finale, Peacock has launched a new series called The Paper, which aims to recapture the original show’s mockumentary style while shifting the focus to a struggling Midwestern newspaper. Oscar Nuñez, who played a memorable accountant on The Office, returns in this new setting to help a fresh ensemble navigate the challenges facing modern media.
Though The Paper offers familiar comedic tones and some connective elements for longtime fans, it faces the challenge common to many revivals: balancing meaningful storytelling with the risk of simply trading on nostalgia. The show’s success depends largely on whether it can expand on the legacy of Dunder Mifflin in a fresh and engaging way or if it will be perceived as just another attempt to renew interest in old intellectual property.
The Office remains available for viewers to stream on Peacock in the United States, maintaining its place as a cultural touchstone despite its turbulent final season and the mixed feelings around its farewell.
