Over the nine seasons, The Office saw plenty of characters come and go. Most of the time it was the minor characters who were the first to exit so the show's dynamics didn't change much. However, this wasn't the case come season 7. As many fans know, Steve Carell made his exit at the end of the season, making him the first major character to leave.
Since Michael Scott was an integral part of the show, the writers had a tough time trying to find someone to fill his spot. However, they did alter arcs and create some new characters that managed to be just as awkward and nearly as entertaining as he was. Here are just a few examples.
10 Pete & Clark
Introduced in season 9, the fans met Pete and Clark, who were dubbed by the workers to be the new Jim and Dwight. However, if fans take a closer look at their personalities, they would notice that they are the embodiment of Michael. For instance, Pete was similar to the more grounded side of the manager, supporting his colleagues, and providing compassion when no one else would.
On the other hand, Clark adopted Michael's outlandish personality and would often be seen as scheming or pranking the other workers. Together, the viewers still got to see the Michael-like hijinks arise.
9 Dwight Schrute
After Carell left, it became more obvious that the writers were aiming to make Dwight the new Michael after they began altering his personality. As soon Dwight brought a piranha and let a gun go off in the office, it started to feel like the old days. It was sort of the reckless and irresponsible thing Michael would have done.
The viewers also saw his recklessness when he tried to cycle across a tight-rope that was suspended above the parking lot. Not to forget how one could see the way Dwight had just as strong leadership skills as Michael. While Michael's presence was missed, Dwight's crazy antics did soothe the fans' pain.
8 Andy Bernard
In season 8, one of the first major changes that happened was Andy's character arc. When he was promoted to the role of regional manager, the writers tried to mold him into the new Michael. He was friendly with the workers, spent a lot of the time trying to distract them, and was a questionable leader.
He also had a love-hate relationship with the corporation and would be seen arguing with them on several occasions too. Add to the fact that he was just as impulsive and always needed the office workers to help him, it did feel like nothing had changed. Andy was definitely a suitable replacement until the writing in season 9 made questionable decisions with his character.
7 David Wallace
As fans remember, there were a few minor changes in season 6 when it was revealed that Dunder Mifflin was going bust. This essentially meant all the CEOs and CFOs were going to be out, including David Wallace. After Sabre bought out the company, the viewers didn't see much of David because he was then replaced by Joan and Robert.
However, after Michael left, the writers eventually brought David back to bring back the whole management-v-corporation dynamic. When he became the new CEO, it did feel like the show was returning to its former glory.
6 Fred Henry
After Michael left, Jo created a search committee to try and find the branch a new branch manager. One of the people that was interviewed for the job was Fred Henry, who was a former navy 'recruit' that had no experience in the paper business. It appeared he didn't even research into the company or know anything about the role.
However, it did look like he could have been a great orator and improviser - like Michael was. The viewers could also see that Fred could have had an interesting friendship with Jim - particularly as the chemistry between Krasinski and Arnett was noticeable. Henry's lack of skills in management could have made an interesting plot.
5 David Brent
Another potential candidate the committee had been considering was David Brent. Best known for being the general manager of the Slough branch in The Office (UK), David provides his interview on a video conference and pitches to the committee why he would be the ideal candidate.
Since Michael was meant to be Brent's counterpart in the US version, it would have been fitting if he would have been the new regional manager. After all, he had the same sense of humor and immaturity as Michael as well as the same annoying habits and idiosyncrasies.
4 Merv Bronte
After Michael left, the writers brought in Merv Bronte to the show as another replacement. Also introduced in the episode "Search Committee," Merv was another applicant that applied for the role of regional manager. Although he gave the impression that he wasn't very sociable, Merv did appear to be a nice and genuine guy.
However, since Merv allowed Robert to get into his head, he ended up self-sabotaging the interview and blowing all his chances. Nevertheless, Ray Romano's dry humor would have brought a whole new level of comedy to the show.
3 Robert California
At the beginning of season 8, the writers revealed that the Committee had chosen Robert California to become the next regional manager. However, he decided that he was better than this position and ended up becoming the new CEO of Sabre. One of the main reasons why Robert fascinated fans was because he was the complete opposite of Michael.
He was manipulative, duplicitous, and very observative. He also took great pleasure in pitting people off against one another, which created a lot of drama. The only similarity he had to Michael was the fact that he always ended up recruiting the office workers to get him out of a sticky situation. Nevertheless, he did help ease the transition of the post-Michael years.
2 Nellie Bertram
Nellie Bertram was also another person who had a major impact on the show, becoming an integral part once she became regional manager. Like all the other regional managers, the office took an instant dislike to Nellie due to them believing she was incompetent.
Similar to Michael, Nellie struck up a close friendship with Pam after the office administrator realized how fragile and lonely she was. She was also very nurturing and compassionate towards the other members of the office, including Erin, Pam, and Andy (to some extent). She was an entertaining addition.
1 Deangelo Vickers
Out of all the guest stars on the show, the writers should have tried harder to keep Will Ferrell as Deangelo was the perfect replacement for Michael. He loved to be the center of attention, was very immature, and would often give the worst speeches. Deangelo also got on the nerves of his co-workers with his bragging and juvenile antics.
Still, he seemed to be the only candidate who managed to attain the respect of Dwight. It's just a shame that he ended up in a coma after his basketball accident. There was a lot of potential that went unexplored.
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