Amy Ryan Will Be Part of NBC's "The Office"

By Adam Hetrick
June 30, 2008

The fifth season of the popular NBC comedy "The Office" will feature Tony and Oscar-nominated actress Amy Ryan.

Known for her work in "The Wire" and the film "Gone Baby Gone," Ryan has signed to repeat her role as human resources representative Holly Flax. Variety reports that Ryan is slated to appear in five episodes of the Scranton-set "mocumentary" series that stars Steve Carrell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer and Rainn Wilson.

Ryan's character first appeared in the season finale of "The Office" as a possible love interest for Carrell's character, Michael Scott.

"I don't know what they're going to do with the character," Ryan told Variety, "but as it was written, there's certainly a lot of potential. It's a funny thing to enter a show that you're a great fan of – and it's nice to tell lighter stories. I love the dark, grittier side of life, but it's nice to take a break from that, put a skirt on and brush your hair."

Amy Ryan earned Tony nominations for her performances in A Streetcar Named Desire and Uncle Vanya. She has also appeared in Crimes of the Heart, The Women, The Three Sisters, As Bees in Honey Drown and The Sisters Rosensweig. Ryan's film credits include "Dan in Real Life," "Capote," "War of the Worlds" and "You Can Count on Me."

"The Office" will make its hour-long season premiere Sept. 25 on NBC.