Calling her time on The Office “the gift of a lifetime,” Ellie Kemper recently reflected on the lasting impact the beloved sitcom has had on her life and career during a recent appearance at the AT&T Business Small Business Appreciation event. More than a decade after the series aired its finale, the actress continues to look back fondly on the experience that introduced her to millions of viewers.

Few television comedies have enjoyed the kind of relevance and continued growing fan base over the years that The Office has achieved. The series continues to attract new audiences while remaining a comfort watch for longtime fans around the world.

That enduring popularity has often sparked conversations about what made the sitcom so special. For Kemper, the answer extends far beyond the laughs audiences saw on screen.

Speaking to PEOPLE, Ellie Kemper looked back on her time portraying Erin Hannon, a role she took on after joining the sitcom during its fifth season. Having already been a fan of the show before becoming part of its ensemble, the actress found herself stepping into a workplace comedy that was already deeply loved by audiences.

“Isn't it the gift of a lifetime? I feel like I won the lottery getting cast on the show because it is so organic, and it is a very natural friendship that we share, which feels rare,” Kemper said while reflecting on the experience and explaining why the opportunity continues to stand out years later.

The actress also pointed to the show's relatability as one of the biggest reasons it has remained such a cultural fixture. According to Kemper, viewers could often recognize friends, relatives, coworkers, and other familiar personalities in the employees of Dunder Mifflin, helping the series maintain a connection with audiences across generations.

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But the bonds that helped define the sitcom were not limited to the fictional workplace itself.

One of the enduring themes in Ellie Kemper's reflections was the genuine connection among the cast. While many television ensembles naturally drift apart after a series wraps, the actors behind The Office have continued to maintain close relationships through the years.

“There's an Office text thread that everybody's on. There are emails. Everybody's very much connected still,” Kemper previously told PEOPLE.

Former cast members have reunited for podcasts, special appearances, charity events, and celebrations of the show's legacy. Kemper has previously revealed that the group remains connected through active text threads and email chains, regularly sharing updates, invitations, jokes, and words of encouragement.

That continued connection helps explain why so many fans still associate The Office with authenticity. Long after the cameras stopped rolling, the friendships that developed behind the scenes appear to be every bit as meaningful as the relationships viewers watched unfold on screen, even as conversations about the franchise's future continue.

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Do you think The Office remains television's most rewatchable workplace comedy, or has another sitcom taken its place for you? Let us know in the comments.