Dakota Johnson Opens Up About Her Most Regretted Acting Role
Dakota Johnson shares candid memories of her difficult time filming The Office US finale, describing it as the lowest point in her career despite later achievements.
They say it ’s not what happens to you, but how you handle it that really matters. For Dakota Johnson, that lesson hit home after her experience with Madame Web, a Marvel film that quickly became infamous for its critical and commercial failure. The movie racked up Golden Raspberry awards and was widely panned, threatening to derail Johnson’s rising career. She had already weathered the storm of negative reviews from the last two Fifty Shades of Grey films, which was no small feat in itself.
Of course, Johnson’s background—being the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith—meant she wasn’t facing the same struggles as most. Still, a major flop like Madame Web could have left a mark. But it wasn’t the only project that left her feeling bruised. Years earlier, she had a brief role in the final season of The Office US, appearing as a young accountant hired by Dwight Schrute. There was even talk at one point of her leading a spin-off.
Behind the Scenes of The Office Finale
Johnson was a longtime fan of the Steve Carell-led sitcom and was thrilled when the producers invited her to join the series finale. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to her expectations. She recalled to Seth Myers,
“That was honestly the worst time of my life. I loved that show [The Office] so much. And they were like, ‘Do you want to be in the series finale?’ I was like, ‘Of course,’ thinking that I’d show up for like half a day. I was there for two weeks, and I’m barely in the f***ing show.”
Despite her disappointment, Johnson didn’t let it hold her back. Within a year, she landed the lead in Fifty Shades of Grey, earning more Golden Raspberry nominations, and later starred alongside Johnny Depp in Black Mass. Her career continued to evolve, and she began to take on more challenging and diverse roles.
Turning Point and New Opportunities
Things started to shift for Johnson when she starred in the 2018 remake of Suspiria, directed by Luca Guadagnino and featuring a score by Thom Yorke. Her performance in the horror film was met with critical acclaim, opening doors to a series of intriguing projects. She went on to appear in the 2019 indie hit The Peanut Butter Falcon and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, The Lost Daughter.
Then came the disaster that was Madame Web in 2024. Reflecting on the backlash, Johnson said,
“…you can’t do anything about it. Like, what am I going to do, fucking cry about Madame Web? No. I’m gonna laugh.”
Her attitude showed a sense of humor and resilience in the face of criticism, especially as the film became a target for online outrage.
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Johnson is set to appear in Verity, a psychological thriller with Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett. She’s also stepping behind the camera to direct her first film, A Tree is Blue, starring Jessica Alba and Charli XCX. Despite the ups and downs, Johnson continues to carve out her own path in Hollywood, learning from every experience along the way.