Actors from NBC's St. Denis Medical have addressed fan comparisons between nurses Matt and Serena and The Office's iconic couple Jim and Pam. The parallels drew attention after the pair's first kiss in the March 30 episode. Stars Mekki Leeper and Kahyun Kim shared their thoughts in a recent interview.
NBC's mockumentary comedy St. Denis Medical, often likened to The Office set in a hospital, features nurses Matt, played by Mekki Leeper, and Serena, played by Kahyun Kim, whose romance echoes Jim and Pam's. In the March 30 episode, Matt and Serena shared their first kiss in the hospital parking lot, reminiscent of Jim's confession to Pam in the Season 2 episode 'Casino Night' at Dunder Mifflin's parking lot outside after hours. The scene sparked widespread comparisons among viewers, evoking the early 2000s feel of the original sitcom. Kim told TVLine she rewatched the 'Casino Night' scene repeatedly, noting differences in the couples' dynamics. 'Jim and Pam, they're very similar from the get-go. Serena and Matt are just so different, and then they come together,' she said. She added confidently, 'I mean, I think we're cuter. I'll say it!' Leeper acknowledged the pressure of the comparisons, given the show's NBC roots. 'The pressure is there, and we're doing it at NBC, so of course that's brought up to us,' he said. He expressed gratitude for fans and excitement to portray the couple well. Unlike Jim and Pam, who faced obstacles like fiancés Roy and Karen, Matt and Serena face no such barriers heading into Season 3. Both actors anticipate a unique relationship ahead. Leeper described the characters as 'weird' and 'bizarre,' eager to explore their dating dynamic. Kim highlighted Serena's growth, saying the timing was right after overcoming past trauma and toxic behaviors, leading to a healthy but unusual romance.