Is quoting “The Office” your love language? Well, here comes your next thing. The documentary crew that turned paper sales into prime-time gold is back. But this time they’re chasing bylines, not quarterly numbers.
“The Paper,” now streaming on Peacock, reimagines the chaos and charm of a workplace comedy through the ink-smudged lens of a crumbling Ohio newspaper. From Greg Daniels (co-creator of “The Office”) and Michael Koman (“Nathan for You”), the new mockumentary series follows the staff of the Toledo Truth Teller as they attempt to revive local journalism with zero experience, dwindling resources, and a lot of heart.
From Scranton to Toledo, with love
The show’s concept is simple but brilliant: the same documentary crew that followed Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch has turned their cameras on a different kind of paper operation. At the helm of the Truth Teller is Ned Sampson, played with endearing exasperation by Domhnall Gleeson, a star salesman tasked with saving the paper by turning accountants, ad salespeople, and delivery drivers into journalists.
“He thinks that he can revive the paper with a concentration on local, objective content,” said Daniels in an interview with Peacock Blog. The result? Hilarious trial-and-error journalism and office dynamics that feel both fresh and familiar.
Same crew, new mess
Where “The Office” gave us stapler-in-jello pranks and regional manager meltdowns, “The Paper” delivers its laughs in misfiled Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and misguided attempts at investigative journalism. Imagine a volunteer beat reporter covering a zoning board meeting like it’s Watergate.
You’ll absolutely love the return of Oscar Nuñez as Oscar Martinez. Yes, that Oscar. Now the head accountant and a reluctant Arts & Leisure columnist, Oscar adds a welcome dose of continuity and exasperated side-eyes. As Daniels explained, Oscar was the perfect pick, “He maintained his dignity for the whole nine years and was still able to be embarrassed.”
Meet the beat writers (sort of)
The real fun of “The Paper” comes from its band of unlikely reporters, a lovable mix of burnouts, overachievers, romantics, and cynics who’ve been conscripted into the newsroom.
There’s Mare Pritti (Chelsea Frei), a former military journalist now stuck copying press releases until Ned rekindles her faith in real reporting. Sabrina Impacciatore (“White Lotus”) plays Esmeralda Grand, the chaotic managing editor who’s more about aesthetics than ethics. Ramona Young’s Nicole Lee is a circulation department alumna who drifts into a will-they-won’t-they with Melvin Gregg’s Detrick Moore, a suave ad guy turned amateur journalist. Gbemisola Ikumelo and Josh Rabinowitz round out the cast as accountants Adelola and Adam, she’s smart and jaded; he’s sweet and clueless.
This is the kind of ensemble that feels tailor-made for GIFs and fan-cam compilations.
Why it works
Unlike many reboots and spiritual successors, “The Paper” doesn’t coast on nostalgia. It builds something new with just enough connective tissue to the world of Dunder Mifflin. The laughs land, the characters click, and the stakes — however absurd — feel surprisingly real.
Daniels and Koman found the perfect setting to explore the comedy and chaos of trying to do meaningful work with unqualified people. The dying newspaper industry, with its urgency and underdog energy, offers ripe terrain for awkward confessionals and secondhand embarrassment.
All the episodes are streaming now
All 10 episodes of “The Paper” Season 1 are streaming now on Peacock, and yes, Season 2 has already been greenlit.
This has got something for everyone: longtime fans of “The Office” and suckers for a good ensemble comedy with bite, “The Paper” delivers. It’s sharply written, heartfelt, and yet another excuse to finally use that Peacock free trial.
Ready to see if Ned and his crew can save local news? All episodes of “The Paper” Season 1 are now streaming exclusively on Peacock.