David Bianculli

Ricky Gervais, starring co-creator of the original British series The Office, speaking to Terry Gross in 2004. The American version of The Office is 20 years old, and today we're featuring interviews with the Dunder Mifflin staff. Next, we'll listen back to a 2008 interview Terry conducted with Jenna Fisher, who played Pam Beasley.

She was an original cast member, and when she auditioned for the role of the receptionist, she hadn't memorized any lines. She couldn't.

She was an original cast member, and when she auditioned for the role of the receptionist, she hadn't memorized any lines. She couldn't.

She was an original cast member, and when she auditioned for the role of the receptionist, she hadn't memorized any lines. She couldn't.

Jenna Fisher speaking to Terry Gross in 2008. Coming up, John Krasinski, who played Jim. This is Fresh Air.

Jenna Fisher speaking to Terry Gross in 2008. Coming up, John Krasinski, who played Jim. This is Fresh Air.

Jenna Fisher speaking to Terry Gross in 2008. Coming up, John Krasinski, who played Jim. This is Fresh Air.

John Krasinski played Jim Halpert, who had two important relationships on The Office. He was the friend and later the love interest of the receptionist Pam, and he was the rival and chief tormentor of his office co-worker Dwight. Dave Davies spoke with John Krasinski in 2016.

John Krasinski played Jim Halpert, who had two important relationships on The Office. He was the friend and later the love interest of the receptionist Pam, and he was the rival and chief tormentor of his office co-worker Dwight. Dave Davies spoke with John Krasinski in 2016.

John Krasinski played Jim Halpert, who had two important relationships on The Office. He was the friend and later the love interest of the receptionist Pam, and he was the rival and chief tormentor of his office co-worker Dwight. Dave Davies spoke with John Krasinski in 2016.

Fresh Air's executive producer is Danny Miller. Sam Brigger is our managing producer. Our technical director and engineer is Audrey Bentham, with additional engineering support by Joyce Lieberman, Julian Hertzfeld, and Diana Martinez. For Terry Gross and Tanya Mosley, I'm David Bianculli.

Fresh Air's executive producer is Danny Miller. Sam Brigger is our managing producer. Our technical director and engineer is Audrey Bentham, with additional engineering support by Joyce Lieberman, Julian Hertzfeld, and Diana Martinez. For Terry Gross and Tanya Mosley, I'm David Bianculli.

Fresh Air's executive producer is Danny Miller. Sam Brigger is our managing producer. Our technical director and engineer is Audrey Bentham, with additional engineering support by Joyce Lieberman, Julian Hertzfeld, and Diana Martinez. For Terry Gross and Tanya Mosley, I'm David Bianculli.

This message comes from David Tennant Does a Podcast With, back for Season 3. David Tennant returns to sit down with superstar guests like Russell T. Davies, Jamila Jamil, and Stanley Tucci. New season streaming now, wherever you get your podcasts.

This message comes from David Tennant Does a Podcast With, back for Season 3. David Tennant returns to sit down with superstar guests like Russell T. Davies, Jamila Jamil, and Stanley Tucci. New season streaming now, wherever you get your podcasts.

This message comes from David Tennant Does a Podcast With, back for Season 3. David Tennant returns to sit down with superstar guests like Russell T. Davies, Jamila Jamil, and Stanley Tucci. New season streaming now, wherever you get your podcasts.

In the U.S., murder mystery series built around eccentric but intrepid investigators have been around forever. And the best of them, from Columbo to Sherlock, have made an indelible mark on TV history. Currently, we have such shows as Elsbeth, Matlock, and Only Murders in the Building, all of which playfully present crimes solved by people with unusual but ultimately lovable personalities.

In the U.S., murder mystery series built around eccentric but intrepid investigators have been around forever. And the best of them, from Columbo to Sherlock, have made an indelible mark on TV history. Currently, we have such shows as Elsbeth, Matlock, and Only Murders in the Building, all of which playfully present crimes solved by people with unusual but ultimately lovable personalities.

In the U.S., murder mystery series built around eccentric but intrepid investigators have been around forever. And the best of them, from Columbo to Sherlock, have made an indelible mark on TV history. Currently, we have such shows as Elsbeth, Matlock, and Only Murders in the Building, all of which playfully present crimes solved by people with unusual but ultimately lovable personalities.

A new BritBox import, a mystery series called Ludwig, is even lighter and flat-out fun to watch. Created and written by Mark Brotherhood, it arrives with one of the most original and captivating variations on the entire TV mystery genre. Here are the basics. Two very intelligent children, identical twins John and James, grow up sharing their youth with a best friend, Lucy.