Let’s be honest, most spinoffs fail harder than Michael Scott’s Scotts Tots episode. But somehow, Peacock’s The Paper manages to capture lightning in a bottle twice. Created by The Office mastermind Greg Daniels and Nathan for You genius Michael Koman, this mockumentary about a struggling Toledo newspaper launched September 4 with all 10 episodes available immediately. And surprise, surprise—it’s actually good.
The Paper NBC Universe Expands Beyond Scranton
The Paper NBC spinoff follows the same documentary crew from Dunder Mifflin as they discover their next subject: the historic but floundering Toledo Truth-Teller. Editor-in-chief Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson) attempts to revitalize the paper with volunteer reporters and sheer optimism, while managing editor Esmeralda Grand (Sabrina Impacciatore from The White Lotus) brings dramatic flair to every mundane task.
The show’s secret weapon? Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nuñez) returns as the lone The Paper NBC connection to the original series, working as head accountant and reluctantly covering arts & leisure.
“They’re still editing stuff. More will be revealed, as my wife likes to say. Yes, it’s exciting,” Nuñez teased during a recent cast reunion, clearly horrified to see those cameras again.
Smart Writing Saves The Paper From Spinoff Hell
Unlike most derivative television, The Paper actually understands what made The Office special—workplace absurdity grounded in authentic human moments. Chelsea Frei plays Mare, the ex-military compositor who takes everything too seriously, while Melvin Gregg’s Detrick volunteers as both reporter and ad sales guy because apparently that’s how newspapers survive now.
The series tackles real journalism issues, catfishing stories involving celebrity cameos, budget constraints forcing volunteers, and the existential dread of print media dying. “We’re dealing with an intelligence here. It’s powerful, intangible, and very dangerous,” could describe either The Conjuring demons or the newspaper industry’s current state.
Gbemisola Ikumelo (accountant Adelola), Alex Edelman (clueless Adam), Ramona Young (optimistic Nicole), and Tim Key (jaded Ken) round out the ensemble with distinct comedic voices. Created by Daniels and Koman for Universal Television and 3 Arts Entertainment, the show received a second season renewal before the premiere—clearly Peacock has confidence in this The Paper NBC experiment succeeding where so many spinoffs have failed.
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