Dawn Tinsley

Dawn Tinsley
First appearance	'Downsize' (2001)
Last appearance	'Christmas Special' (2003)
Created by	Ricky Gervais Stephen Merchant
Portrayed by	Ricky Gervais
In-universe information
Occupation	Receptionist Assistant to David Brent
Affiliation	Wernham Hogg
Significant other	Lee (initially) Tim Canterbury
Nationality	British

Dawn Tinsley is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom The Office, portrayed by Lucy Davis. She is the receptionist at Wernham Hogg Paper Merchants, and occasional assistant to David Brent. ^[1]

In the show, Dawn is Tim Canterbury’s friend and co-conspirator. Together, they enjoy playing practical jokes on the humourless jobsworth Gareth Keenan, who is also Tim's deskmate.

Teasing Gareth is a way for Dawn to spend time with Tim. It provides relief from the utter boredom she feels towards her job, a situation which is made worse by the fact that she is often made to indulge David Brent's fragile ego and ill-thought-out jokes.

Dawn is an aspiring children's illustrator, but she isn't brave enough to pursue her dream. ^[1] She only initially took the job as a receptionist at Wernham Hogg part-time, but at her fiancé Lee's request, she ended up going full-time.

In season 2 episode 2, Dawn reflects with sadness: “when people asked me what do you do, I said I'm an illustrator, but I work as a receptionist for extra cash... now when people ask me what I do, I say I'm a receptionist." ^[2]

Neither David nor Lee take Dawn's dream of being an illustrator seriously, and both imply that it was only ever a pipe-dream, a conclusion that she has come to accept. Tim is shown as the only one who believes in her.

Relationship with Tim Canterbury

Dawn and Tim are portrayed as friends, though it is clear that Tim is romantically interested in her. Over the course of the first two seasons, Tim asks Dawn out twice, unsuccessfully.

First, in season 1 episode 4 ^[3] when he resigns during the training session and asks Dawn out, having (mistakenly) heard that Dan and Lee had split up.He asks her again in season 2 episode 6, ^[4] after finding out that she and Lee were moving to Florida for 6 months. ^[1] Both times, Dawn chooses to stay with Lee.

There are indications, however, that she has more than a friendly interest in Tim. For example, Dawn acts jealous when Tim starts spending more time with Rachel, a new colleague from the Swindon branch, in particular when they play a prank on Gareth. ^[1] She also insists that Tim claims his charity kiss. ^[5]

Dawn plays down her feelings towards Tim on more than one occasion. For example, in season 2 episode 2, when Rachel asks Dawn whether she would date Tim, she evades the question by pointing to her engagement ring.

It is only in the second Christmas special episode, when she unwraps Tim's Secret Santa gift, that she eventually faces up to her feelings towards Tim, and the reality of going back to Florida with Lee. ^[6]

See also

• Pam Beesly – Dawn's equivalent in the American version of The Office .

References

1. "The Office Characters Dawn Tinsley". BBC Comedy. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
2. "The Office - Series 2:2. Appraisals". BBC iPlayer. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
3. "The Office - Series One - Episode 4". Ricky Gervais... Obviously. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
4. "The Office - Series Two - Episode 6". Ricky Gervais... Obviously. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
5. "The Office - Series Two - Episode 5". Ricky Gervais... Obviously. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
6. "The Office - Christmas Specials - Episode 2". Ricky Gervais... Obviously. Retrieved 4 August 2025.