“The Office” universe is expanding with an exciting new spinoff that promises to deliver the same documentary-style humor fans loved, but with a fresh setting and storyline that takes viewers into the world of struggling local journalism.
Peacock has unveiled the first trailer for “The Paper,” revealing how the same documentary crew that followed Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch will now chronicle the efforts of a dying Midwestern newspaper attempting a dramatic comeback with volunteer reporters.
‘The Paper’s’ New Setting, Familiar Documentary Style
The spinoff centers around The Toledo Truth Teller, a struggling Ohio newspaper currently publishing stories like “You Won’t Believe How Much Ben Affleck Tipped His Limo Driver,” according to TV Line. The publication gets new leadership when Ned Sampson, played by Domhnall Gleeson, takes over as editor-in-chief with ambitious plans to restore journalistic integrity.
Gleeson’s character frankly admits that the newspaper “sucks” and wants to return it to its journalistic roots. His challenge involves recruiting new reporters from a staff whose writing experience is primarily limited to tweets and group chats, creating plenty of opportunities for the mockumentary format’s signature awkward humor.
“The Paper” maintains the same dry, observational style that made “The Office” beloved, featuring characters delivering deadpan lines to cameras with awkward pauses and documentary-style presentation.
Creator Greg Daniels explained his approach to expanding the universe rather than simply rebooting the original. “I don’t like to think of anything as a reboot,” he told The Wrap in 2023. “Because I feel like we ended that story beautifully. The characters had closure.”
Instead, Daniels compared his vision to “the way The Mandalorian is a new show in the Star Wars universe,” describing the concept as following, “this documentary crew doing a documentary about a different subject.”
Familiar Face Returns to the Documentary Crew
The trailer reveals a welcome surprise for longtime fans when Oscar Nuñez reprises his role as Oscar Martinez from the original series. However, his character isn’t thrilled about encountering the documentary crew again in his new position as the newspaper’s accountant.
“Not again! I’m not agreeing to any of this!” Oscar exclaims when he spots the cameras.
The ensemble cast includes Sabrina Impacciatore from “The White Lotus,” Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Ramona Young, Tim Key, and comedian Alex Edelman. To prepare for their roles, several cast members shadowed journalists at the Palisadian-Post, a 96-year-old Los Angeles newspaper, to understand daily operations at a local publication, according to Parade.
“The Paper” premieres exclusively on Peacock on September 4, 2025, with four initial episodes. Peacock will release two additional episodes weekly, each Thursday, through September 25, giving fans a steady stream of workplace comedy in a completely new setting.
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