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The Officehas no shortage of eclectic characters with the sitcom boasting a cast of some of the most weird and complex employees at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. While most of the characters are loved by fans, one character received plenty of hate and it is none other than Melora Hardin’s Jan Levinson who played a major recurring role in the series.
Despite the fan hate her character receives, Hardin has argued that there is another side to the character that most fans miss to notice. Instead, the actress explained why Hardin is simply not the one-notecontrol freak fans believe her to be and is a much more complex character. Here is what Hardin had to say in defense of Jan inThe Office.
Melora Hardin believes fans are wrong for hating Jan inThe Office
ActressMelora Hardinis best known foressaying the role of Jan Levinsonin the hit sitcomThe Office. She is the Vice President of Northeast Sales at Dunder Mifflin. Jan later starts a dysfunctional relationship with Michael Scott played bySteve Carell.
Jan’s relationship with Michael, especially her controlling nature and treatment of him as an immature man-child resulted in most fans hating the character. However, Hardin argued that Jan was more complex than fans understood.
I just loved her, I always loved her. And I really hate when people walk up to me and say ‘Jan’s such a b****.’ I’m like ‘Clearly, you weren’t watching very closely.’ Because she’s so much more than that…She has her moments, for sure.
Hardin made the above statement in an interview withToday, where she admitted that she loved playing the multi-dimensional character.
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From Hardin’s words, it is evident that the actress disagrees with fans hating Jan and her choices. As a result, Hardin seemed to argue that despite her flaws, especially in handling her relationship with Michael the character was only human and received unwarranted hate from fans for simply pursuing her ambitions.
Jan’s choices inThe Officeremain questionable despite Melora Hardin’s defense
Despite Hardin highlighting the character’s complexity, a majority of the disdain for Jan stems from her treatment of Michael in the season 5 episodeBaby Shower. Fans have discussed onReddithow Jan not only splits up with Michael but also asks him not to date Holly.
Jan’s controlling nature and her fallout with Michael culminate in the former opting for artificial insemination in her bid to raise a child. However, Jan still wants Michael to be the baby’s father but excludes him from the actual birth, which leaves him deflated.
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Hardin’s defense of Jan seems to stem from the idea that she is an ambitious corporate woman who has little time to start a family. As a result, hercontrolling nature around Michaelcan be explained since she sees him as a potential partner in raising a child. However, Jan’s excluding Michael from the baby’s birth is already hurtful. Asking him not to date Holly makes her actions questionable since it represents her continued mistreatment of Michael.
The Officeis streaming on Peacock.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1774
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
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Melora HardinSteve Carell
