Star of "The Office" surprises passenger watching series during flight 0:45

(CNN) -- More than 20 years after British comedian Ricky Gervais brought global fame to insufferable manager David Brent, an Australian version of the hit show "The Office" is being made, this time with a female lead.

Australian comedian Felicity Ward will play Hannah Howard, CEO of packaging company Flinley Craddick, the Australian version of Brent, known as Michael Scott in the hit American series, according to the BBC.

Since its premiere in 2001, "The Office" has won multiple awards and inspired local versions in countries such as Chile, Israel, India and Poland. The Australian series is the thirteenth adaptation and the first starring a woman.

Felicity Ward will play the boss in "The Office Australia." (Photo courtesy of the BBC)

According to a press release, the eight-part series follows Ward's character, who goes into "survival mode" when the company's headquarters closes its branch, forcing everyone to work from home.

Ward is known for her appearances on Australian comedy shows and game shows, as well as the television miniseries "Wakefield" and the film "The Inbetweeners 2".

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He has also performed at comedy festivals and tweeted Thursday that he had been keeping his new role a secret for four months.

The Australian edition is co-produced by BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand, Bunya Entertainment and Amazon Studios.

Production begins in Sydney in June and filming is expected to last eight weeks.

In a statement, Gervais, co-creator of "The Office" with Stephen Merchant, was enthusiastic about the Australian version.

"The policy of the office has changed a bit in 20 years, so I'm looking forward to seeing how a modern-day David Brent plays out," he said.

After so many adaptations of the hit series around the world, BBC Studios ANZ's managing director and creative production Kylie Washington said "it's now Australia's turn."

"We think the world is ready for a lovable, flawed boss who rules her wrapping empire at The Office Australia," he said.

The new series will air in 240 countries starting in 2024.