Fans of The Office will be glad to hear that Peacock is gearing up to expand its beloved mockumentary universe with an all-new spinoff titled The Paper. This fresh take on the workplace comedy formula promises to deliver the same signature humor, awkward moments, and documentary-style storytelling that made The Office a cultural phenomenon.
Created by The Office mastermind Greg Daniels and comedy veteran Michael Koman (Nathan for You, Saturday Night Live), The Paper shifts its focus from the chaos of Dunder Mifflin to the struggling world of print journalism. Instead of following the inner workings of a mid-tier paper company, the documentary crew—previously seen filming the Scranton branch—will now chronicle the day-to-day struggles of a small, underdog newspaper fighting for survival in the digital age.
A New Cast with a Familiar Connection
The Paper boasts an impressive cast, headlined by Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) and Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus), who will bring fresh perspectives to the established format. The series will also feature an exciting callback for longtime fans, as Oscar Nuñez reprises his role as Oscar Martinez, connecting this new world to the Dunder Mifflin legacy.
While Nuñez’s role in the spinoff remains undisclosed, his presence could offer intriguing possibilities—whether as a reluctant financial advisor, an investor, or simply a former accountant looking for work. Given Oscar’s past with The Office documentary, he may even serve as a bridge between the original series and this new chapter.
A Satirical Look at the Decline of Print Media
Beyond the comedic elements, The Paper will likely explore the real-world struggles of traditional journalism. Over the past two decades, print newspapers have faced massive declines, with circulation dropping from 63 million daily newspapers in 1984 to under 25 million today. The rise of digital media, social platforms, and AI-driven news aggregation has made survival increasingly difficult for smaller publications.
By setting the series in a struggling newsroom, The Paper has the opportunity to satirize the challenges of modern journalism, from the pressure to produce viral content to the ethical dilemmas of balancing truth with clicks. Much like The Office transformed mundane office culture into comedic gold, The Paper could take on the absurdities of the journalism industry with equal wit and insight.
Behind the Scenes: A Strong Comedy Team
Production on The Paper began in November 2024 in Los Angeles, with a writer’s room packed with talent. The team includes Ben Philippe (Sure, I’ll Be Your Black Friend), Amanda Rosenberg (*Netflix’s Big Mouth), Patrick Kang (Fresh Off the Boat), Michael Levin (Saturday Night Live), and Jessi R. Klein (Inside Amy Schumer), all bringing experience in sharp, character-driven comedy.
This diverse lineup suggests that The Paper will maintain the satirical bite of The Office while exploring new comedic territory. Given the industry backgrounds of its writers, the show may even incorporate elements of real-world newsroom dysfunction, much like how The Office drew inspiration from workplace culture.
When Will The Paper Premiere?
While Peacock has yet to announce an official release date, The Paper is expected to debut in late 2025 or early 2026. Given the massive success of The Office on streaming platforms—where it remains one of the most-watched shows even years after its finale—this spinoff has the potential to capture a new generation of fans while satisfying longtime viewers.
As the legacy of The Office lives on, The Paper could mark the beginning of a broader expansion of its universe. Will this be the start of a new wave of workplace mockumentaries? With the right mix of heart, humor, and satire, The Paper might just become Peacock’s next must-watch comedy.
Key Takeaways
- “The Paper” is an official spinoff of “The Office” created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman that will premiere exclusively on Peacock.
- The mockumentary will follow the same documentary crew from the original series as they find a new workplace to document.
- Production began in November 2024 with stars Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, and original cast member Oscar Nuñez joining the project.
Background and Development
“The Paper” marks an exciting expansion to the beloved world of “The Office,” bringing a fresh perspective while honoring its predecessor. The development of this spinoff represents Peacock’s commitment to reviving popular franchises with new creative energy.
Origins of ‘The Paper’
“The Paper” emerged after several previous attempts to expand “The Office” universe that never made it to production. Earlier concepts included “The Farm,” which would have centered on Dwight Schrute’s family beet farm, and another focused on Andy Bernard’s character. These projects ultimately didn’t move forward.
The current spinoff was officially announced by Peacock in May 2024 as a mockumentary comedy series. Unlike previous attempts, “The Paper” takes a fresh approach by creating new characters and stories while maintaining the documentary-style filming that made the original series distinctive.
The project gained momentum in mid-2024, with principal photography started in Los Angeles in November 2024.
Connection to ‘The Office’
“The Paper” is set in the same universe as “The Office” but features an entirely new workplace and cast of characters. This approach allows the show to maintain the spirit of the original while avoiding direct comparisons to beloved characters like Michael Scott and Jim Halpert.
The connection to “The Office” serves as a familiar foundation for fans, offering the same mockumentary style with characters occasionally addressing the camera directly. However, the new setting gives creators freedom to explore fresh workplace dynamics.
Peacock’s strategy allows viewers to watch the entire original series before diving into the spinoff, creating a continuous viewing experience across both shows.
Role of Greg Daniels and Michael Koman
Greg Daniels, who adapted the British version of “The Office” for American audiences, returns as co-creator of “The Paper.” His involvement provides creative continuity and maintains the authentic feel of the original series. Daniels’ understanding of workplace comedy and mockumentary format has been crucial to the development.
Michael Koman, co-creator of “Nathan for You,” brings fresh comedic perspective to the project. The creative team also includes writers Ben Philippe, Amanda Rosenberg, Patrick Kang, Michael Levin, and Jessi R. Klein.
This blend of original “Office” DNA and new creative voices aims to capture the essence of what made the original series successful while pushing the concept in new directions.
Series Overview
“The Paper” expands The Office universe with a fresh workplace comedy set in the same mockumentary style. The series brings new characters and settings while maintaining the documentary approach fans loved in the original show.
Premise and Format
“The Paper” follows a documentary crew capturing the daily operations of a workplace setting. Like its predecessor, the show maintains the mockumentary format with characters speaking directly to the camera in interview segments. The series takes place in the same universe as “The Office” but introduces an entirely new story with fresh characters rather than focusing on familiar faces from Dunder Mifflin.
Created by Greg Daniels (who adapted the original American version of “The Office”) and Michael Koman (co-creator of “Nathan for You”), the show continues the tradition of workplace comedy. The writing team includes talent like Ben Philippe, Amanda Rosenberg, Patrick Kang, Michael Levin, and Jessi R. Klein.
Casting Details
Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore lead the cast of “The Paper.” Gleeson, known for roles in “Star Wars” and “Ex Machina,” brings his versatile acting skills to the workplace comedy genre. Impacciatore gained international recognition through her performance in “The White Lotus.”
Full cast details remain limited, but the production appears to focus on assembling an ensemble similar to the original series. The chemistry between cast members will be crucial to capturing the documentary-style interactions that made “The Office” successful.
The producers are building a new workplace family rather than relying on cameos from the original series, though connections to the larger Office universe remain possible.
Premiere Information
“The Paper” will debut exclusively on Peacock as an original series for the streaming platform. Principal photography began in Los Angeles in November 2024, suggesting a potential release in late 2025 or early 2026.
The number of episodes for the first season hasn’t been officially announced. Peacock’s announcement of the series in May 2024 confirmed its development but left many production details undefined.
Fans can prepare by watching the complete series of “The Office” on Peacock before “The Paper” premieres. This spinoff marks the first successful attempt to expand “The Office” universe after previous concepts like “The Farm” (centered on Dwight Schrute) never materialized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans have many questions about the upcoming spinoff series “The Paper.” Here’s what we know so far about this new addition to The Office universe.
Who are the main cast members of The Paper, and what roles will they play?
Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore will star in “The Paper.” Gleeson is known for his roles in Star Wars and the Harry Potter franchise, while Impacciatore gained recognition from her work in “The White Lotus.”
The full cast list and character details haven’t been completely revealed yet. More casting announcements are expected as production progresses.
What is the premise of The Paper and how does it relate to The Office?
“The Paper” is set in the same universe as “The Office” but follows a new group of characters. Like its predecessor, it will use the mockumentary format to tell its story.
The series will likely continue exploring workplace dynamics, though in a new setting. It maintains the documentary style that made “The Office” distinctive while introducing fresh storylines.
When is the release date for The Paper on Peacock?
Peacock hasn’t announced an official release date for “The Paper” yet. The series was announced in May 2024 and is currently in development.
Production timelines suggest it might premiere sometime in late 2025 or 2026. Peacock will likely reveal more specific timing as filming progresses.
How will The Paper differentiate itself from its predecessor series, The Office?
While “The Paper” shares the same universe and mockumentary style as “The Office,” it will feature entirely new characters and settings. This approach allows the show to maintain connections to the original while establishing its own identity.
The creators seem focused on expanding the universe rather than simply recreating the original formula. The involvement of Greg Daniels, who adapted the American version of “The Office,” suggests the show will maintain similar humor while exploring new territory.
Will any characters from The Office make guest appearances in The Paper?
No official announcements have been made about guest appearances from original “Office” cast members. The focus appears to be on creating a new story with fresh characters.
Previous attempts at spinoffs like “The Farm” (centered on Dwight Schrute) never materialized. However, the shared universe leaves the door open for potential crossovers.
Who are the writers and producers behind The Paper, and what is their vision for the series?
Greg Daniels, who adapted the American version of “The Office,” is creating “The Paper” alongside Michael Koman, co-creator of “Nathan for You.” This pairing suggests a blend of familiar Office-style humor with new comedic elements.
Their vision appears to be expanding The Office universe rather than directly continuing the original series’ storylines. By setting the show in the same world but with new characters, they can honor the original while creating something distinct.
