‘The Office’ South African Adaptation ‘Die Kantoor’ Sets Showmax Premiere Date (EXCLUSIVE)

The Afrikaans-language adaptation of “The Office” has locked in its premiere date, with “Die Kantoor” set to debut on Showmax on Jan. 20.

Broadcaster kykNET will preview the first episode on Jan. 18, ahead of the double-episode premiere on the African streamer two days later.

The South African version marks the 14th international adaptation of the BBC Studios format. The series relocates the workplace from a paper company to Deluxe Processed Meats, a polony manufacturer.

SAFTA and Silwerskerm winner Bennie Fourie is writing and directing the adaptation.

“It’s a massive honor to be able to make the show,” Fourie said. “When we started way back with “Hotel,” this was the type of show that we were trying to emulate. I don’t think we were ready to make it then but after 10 years of playing with the mockumentary genre, now is the perfect time for us to do this. Everything has really fallen into place and we’re extremely excited.”

Fourie emphasized the series reimagines the format for South African audiences rather than offering a direct translation. “South Africa is not the U.K. and it’s not the U.S., and we really wanted to reflect that,” he said.

The choice of a polony manufacturer as the workplace setting reflects local culture while maintaining the format’s signature awkward dynamics. “South Africa is a proud meat-consuming nation,” Fourie explained. “From biltong to droëwors to steak, many South Africans find some of our identity in the meat we eat. But polony is not on that list. It’s just so flippen pink. When you’re standing around a braai, the last thing you want to say is that you are passionate about polony. Especially after that Listeriosis outbreak.”

Albert Pretorius, winner of the 2025 Fleur du Cap award, leads the cast as Flip, the office manager. “Flip’s only been the manager for the last year but he’s excited to welcome the documentary crew,” Fourie said. “He feels like this is his ‘Chasing the Sun’ ; like his rise to greatness needs to be recorded.”

The ensemble includes SAFTA winner Schalk Bezuidenhout, Lida Botha, Carl Beukes, Silwerskerm winner Ilse Oppelt, Daniah de Villiers, Mehboob Bawa, Sipumziwe Lucwaba and newcomer Gert du Plessis.

Rapid Blue, part of BBC Studios, is producing the Showmax Original, with BBC Studios handling global sales.

“Our very first Showmax Original was a mockumentary, ‘Tali’s Wedding Diary,’ so reimagining the most iconic mockumentary of them all has been a full circle moment for us,” said Tracy-Ann van Rooyen, executive head of content at Showmax, part of MultiChoice, a Canal+ company.

The original British series, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, debuted over 20 years ago. The format has since been adapted in territories including Australia, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, India, the Middle East and Poland. The U.S. version won five Emmys, including outstanding comedy series.