Ricky Gervais comedy gets a Nordic remake

Finland is making its own version of The Office.

Sami Hedberg, one of the most popular stand-ups in the country, will take David Brent role, renamed Pentti Markkanen for the remake.

And instead of Slough, the Finnish version will be set in Riihimaki, a railway town 40 miles north of Helsinki whose name translates as 'drying barn hill' and which is famous for having the nation's highest flagpole.

Finland becomes the sixth country to make its own version, following versions for French Canada, France, Germany, Sweden – and the long-running US version with Steve Carell.

Two series of eight episodes apiece will be made by Finnish TV companies Elisa Entertainment and Nelonen. Konttori, as The Office translate as, will be available on demand from March and on Nelonen's terrestrial channel in the autumn,

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nordic nations rarely remake British shows, preferring the originals.

The news comes as Ricky Gervais revives the character he and Stephen Merchant created for the new movie Life On The Road, which opens in the UK on Friday.

Published: 15 Aug 2016