You Won't Believe Which Billions Actor Turned Down the Role of Michael Scott in The Office

And one of those in the frame to play the manager at Dunder Mifflin was none other than Billions star Paul Giamatti.

At the time, of course, Giamatti was best known for his movie roles. In fact, he'd only really had a few bit parts in TV shows, including the part of 'Man in Sleeping Bag' on NYPD Blue.

It was in 1997 that he made his name for his portrayal of Kenny 'Pig Vomit' Rushton in Private Parts.

There followed several more movie roles in blockbusters such as Saving Private Ryan and Big Momma's House.

Which meant that when casting got underway for this new US series based on the UK show of the same name, Giamatti wasn't interested.

Why would he be? At that time, movie stars didn't lower their standards to appear on mere TV shows.

Carrell, on the other hand, was still relatively unknown. He'd had numerous roles throughout his acting career but was yet to hit the big time.

Although his performance as weatherman Brick Tamland in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, was noticeable and he'd certainly caught the eye of those in the industry.

In fact, it was this role that prompted Anchorman producer Judd Apatow to suggest that the two team up again. And the result of that collaboration was The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

As for Giamatti, it's hard to imagine he has any regrets about turning down the role.

While he wasn't keen to switch to TV at the time, after starring in movies such as Fred Claus, The Last Station and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 he did find time to give it a go.

As well as playing the main role in every season of Billions so far, he's also had several guest roles on shows including King of the Hill, Downton Abbey and Rick and Morty.

And he's been on stage, playing Prince Hamlet in a 2013 showing of the Shakespeare classic at the Yale Repertory.

And that's not the first time he's trodden the boards. His theatre debut was in 1995 when he played Ezra Chater in Arcadia.