In a surprising revelation, Jenna Fischer, known for her role as Pam in the hit sitcom "The Office," has disclosed that Steve Carell's return for the series finale was kept under wraps, even from NBC executives.
Speaking on her podcast "Office Ladies," co-hosted with Angela Kinsey, Fischer shared the lengths to which the show's creator, Greg Daniels, went to maintain the secrecy of Carell's appearance.
According to Fischer, a placeholder scene was used during the table read to avoid leaks. Daniels even went as far as filming a fake version of the episode to prevent NBC from creating promotional material that would spoil the surprise.
The cast and crew only saw the actual footage the day before it aired, adding to the authenticity of their reactions during filming.
Fischer also revealed that Carell was initially reluctant to return, feeling that his character's story had concluded. However, he was eventually convinced by the creative direction proposed for his appearance at Dwight and Angela's wedding.
The secrecy was so tight that even Kinsey, Fischer's close friend and co-star, was unaware of Carell's return until he arrived on set. Kinsey recounted her shock upon learning of his presence in the hair and makeup trailer.
This behind-the-scenes insight offers fans a glimpse into the dedication and effort put into creating a memorable finale for one of television's most beloved comedies.