Who's Who in The Office

The lives of four very different workers are intertwined in the offices of Wernham Hogg.

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David Brent (Ricky Gervais)

The popularity of The Office is, in large part, due to the character of David Brent. Many of us have had a boss a bit like Brent. Some of us, unfortunately, have had a boss exactly like Brent. He wants to be best friends with his workers, inspire them with his genius and entertain them with his brilliant humour. Except that he’s actually just plain annoying, rude and selfish. And his worst trait? The chronic self-delusion that prevents him from understanding how others really see him.
Tim Canterbury (Martin Freeman)

The word for salesman Tim is 'likeable'. He’s a good guy – considerate, funny and just a little bit mischievous. Lacking in ambition, he’s found himself at Wernham Hogg, stuck between the insufferable Brent and the creepy Gareth Keenan. His only relief is the hope of romance with receptionist Dawn, plus the fact that Gareth is gullible enough to have endless pranks played on him helps as well. When it comes to Brent though, all Tim can do is look incredulously as the camera and hope that we're as astonished as him.
Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Crook)

Gareth is Tim’s irritating deskmate – an arrogant, humourless, socially inept jobsworth who sucks up to Brent at every opportunity. Gareth gobbles up every little morsel of power he’s given and lords it over his colleagues - he longs for the respect he thinks he so rightfully deserves but he’s never going to get it. Almost as delusional and inappropriate as Brent, Garth’s key weakness is his naivety which makes it so easy to fool him. Do Tim and Dawn take advantage of that? You bet they do.
Dawn Tinsley (Lucy Davis)

Like Tim, company receptionist Dawn Tinsley has sort of ended up at Wernham Hogg. She dreamed of being an illustrator but had to get a 'money job'. She's sort of ended up with her fiancé Lee as well, a moody and unimaginative warehouse worker. Her and Tim get a long like a house on fire and keep each other sane in the office by winding up Gareth and laughing at Brent. They're two peas in a pod. They're soulmates. They're meant for each other. But neither of them are brave enough to do anything about it.

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David Brent (Ricky Gervais)

Tim Canterbury (Martin Freeman)

Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Crook)

Dawn Tinsley (Lucy Davis)