7 Shocking Details About 'The Paper': The New Office Show That Will Redefine Workplace Comedy In 2025
The long-awaited return to the beloved mockumentary universe of The Office is finally here, but not in the way fans expected. The new series, officially titled The Paper, is set to redefine the workplace sitcom for a new generation, shifting the focus from paper sales to the struggling world of print journalism. The show is not a direct reboot but a spiritual successor, set within the same comedic universe, promising the same awkward, heart-of-gold humor that made Dunder Mifflin a household name for a decade. The new series is launching on Peacock in the US and Sky in the UK, with a highly anticipated premiere date in the fall of 2025.
The new mockumentary, co-created by The Office (US) creator Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, trades the beige walls of Scranton for the historic, crumbling offices of a Midwestern newspaper. This fresh setting in Toledo, Ohio, provides a new backdrop for the familiar documentary crew, who are now chronicling a local paper's desperate fight for survival. The creative team has promised a standalone story that honors the original's legacy while forging its own unique identity, focusing on a new ensemble cast of characters battling the existential crisis of the digital age.
The Complete Cast and Character Biographies for The Paper
The success of any workplace comedy hinges on its ensemble, and The Paper has assembled a stellar new cast led by two major international stars. This new group of journalists, accountants, and volunteers at The Toledo Truth Teller are set to become the next iconic office family.
- Domhnall Gleeson as Ned Sampson: The Irish actor, known for roles in Ex Machina and the Star Wars saga, steps into the lead role as Ned Sampson. Ned is the newly appointed editor-in-chief, an idealistic and romantic figure who is determined to revive the struggling newspaper's legacy by relying on a mix of professional and volunteer reporters. His "plucky" optimism is the driving force of the show's central conflict.
- Sabrina Impacciatore as Esmeralda Grand: Fresh off her Emmy-nominated performance in The White Lotus, Impacciatore plays Esmeralda Grand, the demoted former managing editor. Esmeralda is described as a "gonzo, scene-stealing" character who now quietly schemes against Ned Sampson while navigating her new, lesser role. Her hilariously out-of-touch nature is expected to provide much of the series' comedic tension.
- Gbemisola Ikumelo as Adelola Olofin: The BAFTA Award-winning British-Nigerian actress plays Adelola Olofin, an accountant on the ninth floor who reluctantly volunteers to help with reporting. Adelola is the no-nonsense, grounded voice of reason, often finding herself pulled into the chaos of the newsroom. Her character arc involves a transition from a numbers-focused role to an unexpected journalist.
- Chelsea Frei as Mare Pritti: Frei, known for her work on The Time Traveler's Wife, plays a key member of the newspaper staff, Mare Pritti.
- Melvin Gregg as Detrick Moore: Gregg, who has appeared in series like American Vandal, rounds out the main ensemble as Detrick Moore.
The Shocking Dunder Mifflin Connection: A Returning Character
One detail that has sent a jolt of excitement through the fan community is the confirmation of a returning character from the original The Office (US). The new series will feature Oscar Nuñez reprising his role as Oscar Martinez. The beloved accountant, known for his dry wit and intellectual superiority, will be working at The Toledo Truth Teller alongside the new cast, specifically with Adelola Olofin. This marks the first official crossover of a main character from Dunder Mifflin into the new series, firmly cementing The Paper within the established mockumentary universe.
The return of Oscar Martinez is a strategic move by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman. It provides a familiar face for long-time fans while also signaling that the new show is not a complete departure. It suggests that the documentary crew, having finished their years-long project at the paper company, has now moved on to document another struggling American institution.
Why a Newspaper Setting is the Perfect Successor to Dunder Mifflin
The choice of a struggling Midwestern newspaper, The Toledo Truth Teller in Toledo, Ohio, is a deliberate and brilliant move by the creators. The setting provides a fresh, yet equally ripe, environment for the signature mockumentary style. While Dunder Mifflin dealt with the slow obsolescence of paper, The Paper tackles the more immediate and dramatic existential crisis of local journalism itself.
Co-creator Greg Daniels explained in interviews that their goal was to find a workplace with an ensemble that felt like "something to save," much like the small, regional paper company. The newspaper industry, with its frantic deadlines, eccentric journalists, and the noble mission of local truth-telling, offers a high-stakes backdrop for the low-stakes, character-driven comedy that fans adore. The show will explore themes of community, the role of media in modern life, and the comical clash between old-school print reporters and the new wave of digital volunteers.
The Creative Vision and Mockumentary Evolution
The creators have been clear that while The Paper is set in the same universe, it is designed to stand on its own. The mockumentary format will remain, but the characters and their dynamics are entirely new. The original series, The Office, was defined by the dynamic between a boss (Michael Scott) and his employees, whereas The Paper is expected to focus more on the collective struggle of a team trying to keep their institution afloat.
The new ensemble, including Ned Sampson's romantic view of journalism and Esmeralda Grand's hilarious scheming, is perfectly tailored for fresh comedic material. Daniels and Koman have emphasized the importance of crafting a new ensemble that doesn't rely on direct comparisons to the Dunder Mifflin crew. The supporting cast, which includes veterans like Tracy Letts, Tawny Newsome, and Jay Pharoah, further promises a rich tapestry of comedic talent, ensuring that the show establishes its own unique rhythm and voice.
Release Date, Platform, and What to Expect from the Premiere
The new mockumentary series, The Paper, is scheduled to premiere on September 4, 2025. The series will be released on NBC's streaming platform, Peacock, in the United States, positioning it as a flagship title for their 2025-2026 programming slate. Internationally, the show will be available as a Sky exclusive series.
The first season will launch with four initial episodes, followed by a weekly release schedule, a format designed to build anticipation and encourage water cooler talk—or in this case, "water cooler" tweets—about the latest antics at The Toledo Truth Teller. With the combination of proven creative talent, a fresh setting, and the exciting return of an iconic character like Oscar Martinez, The Paper is poised to be one of the most talked-about television events of 2025, offering a much-needed dose of heart and hilarity to the modern TV landscape.
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