Both Jenna Fischer, from the US version of The Office, and Ricky Gervais, star and co-creator of the UK original, seem to have new acting gigs lined up. Fischer’s will be in a Farrelly Bros. comedy, while Gervais’ is in… the US version of The Office?

Hall Pass is an ‘open relationship’ comedy in which a pair of wives give their husbands permission to stray from the marital bed. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this only becomes an issue when the women too start to sleep with other people. Fischer’s husband will be played by Owen Wilson, and Jason Sudeikis will play the other ‘liberated male’. His wife is yet to be cast - place your bets, please.

An altogether more startling proposition is an appearance by Gervais, and in the character of David Brent no less, in the next season of The Office. Michael Ausiello at EW has two sources pointing roughly at this story, one of whom is Gervais himself:

I heard an unconfirmed rumor earlier today that Ricky Gervais was seriously considering reprising his role as original Office manager David Brent on the U.S. version… about an hour ago, Ricky Gervais took the stage at press tour… and hinted that he might do something with the U.S. Office next season.

Okay, I hope they have fun with this. I’m a fan of the US series and think they’ll probably give Gervais something good to do.