Rainn Wilson’s Perfectly Monstrous ’Lessons In Chemistry’s Boss Will Make You Miss Dwight K. Schrute

More than a decade after NBC’s beloved workplace comedy The Office ended, Rainn Wilson is still playing a boss. But rather than reviving his role as Dunder Mifflin’s “assistant to the” turned Regional Manager Dwight K. Schrute, he’s starring as a sexist, three-piece suit-wearing TV exec on Apple TV+‘s limited series Lessons in Chemistry.

The eight-episode adaptation of Bonnie Garmus’ bestselling novel stars Brie Larson as scientist-turned-cooking-show-host Elizabeth Zott and Lewis Pullman as star chemist Calvin Evans. Created by Lee Eisenberg (writer/producer/director/actor on The Office) and featuring BJ Novak as the voice of Elizabeth’s dog Six-Thirty, the series — which introduces Wilson as Elizabeth’s horrible boss Phil Lebensmal in Episode 4 — also serves as a mini Dunder Mifflin reunion, letting Wilson flex his acting chops as a ratings-obsessed misogynist on a major power trip.

Though Dwight and Phil are two vastly different characters, the Lessons in Chemistry role — like The Office‘s resident bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica aficionado — is a perfect fit for Wilson’s wide-ranging skillset. Phil only appears in the final ten minutes of Episode 4, “Primitive Instinct,” but Wilson’s line delivery, inflections, cutting tone, and palpable emotion leave you wanting more. And more you’ll get!

Ditching Dwight’s signature short-sleeve mustard button-downs for expensive-looking businesswear that reeks of superior status, Wilson sports short hair, a thin mustache, and a pompous personality. “Our numbers are more flaccid than my dick,” he crudely says in his opening line before dragging an elderly show host. “They find her boring. And besides, we need men to watch. Because MEN have money to buy things from our sponsors so I HAVE MONEY TO BUY THINGS!”

As insufferable as Phil sounds from that quote alone, his character is far more vile in the book. Wilson nails the hand gestures, bellowing voice, archaic attitude, and convincing anger needed to successfully propel the drama forward. But because the adaptation toned Phil down, Wilson’s comedic background lends a singular, unexpected layer of humor to the character. While nothing about Phil’s hellish behavior is funny, the inflated reactions, exasperated complaints, and penchant for swearing feel, at times, like an effortlessly crafted caricature of a big bad businessman; someone you love to hate, whose downfall would be nearly as delicious as Elizabeth’s lasagna.

“This is Gerta’s last day! And possibly her last breaths on this earth,” Phil snaps at Walter (Kevin Sussman), mumbling the belated zinger. “THE CRONE IS OUT! Fill the slot. Someone young, but elegant. Someone maternal, but fuckable.”

Enter Elizabeth Zott, Phil’s dream come true and worst freaking nightmare.

In sticking to his overly-conventional 1950s views, Phil tries to school Elizabeth on the role of a housewife by screaming, “A man wants his wife to make him a drink after a long day at work, so MAKE THE FUCKING DRINK!” The moving response, featured in Lessons in Chemistry‘s trailer, perfectly encapsulates the chemist’s unwavering quest for gender equality. “Why do you assume that his day was longer than hers? Why don’t you make the fucking drink?” Elizabeth asks, leaving Phil’s jaw ajar.

As the series progresses, Elizabeth’s perseverance, wit, fearlessness, and likability become harder for Phil to swallow than CH3COOH (vinegar). And as much as you’ll grow to detest the slimeball suit, you’ll marvel over Wilson’s ability to bring the perfectly punchable World’s Worst Boss-type to screen.

New episodes of Lessons in Chemistry premiere Fridays on Apple TV+.