The announcement of The Paper, a spinoff of the hit series The Office, is set to release this fall. And if you are anything like me, someone who has watched The Office so many times you can quote every catch-phrase from every episode, The Paper feels like a jolt of hope. A new workplace mockumentary from Greg Daniels, set in the same universe? Yes, please. While this is not a reboot or sequel, it feels like it is cut from the same oddly charming cloth. We are returning to the world of awkward silences and uncomfortably hilarious tension. Only this time, it is a struggling small-town newspaper called The Truth Teller.
What We Know About The Paper
The Paper is a mockumentary-style workplace comedy created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman. That is the same Greg Daniels who gave us The Office (U.S. Version). Already, this pairing screams potential. The series will focus on The Truth Teller, a small-town newspaper in Ohio that is barely staying afloat in the digital age. It is a timely setting that, on paper (no pun intended), gives room for rich character dynamics and uncomfortable hilarity. Things we Office fans know and love.
Domhnall Gleeson has been cast as the editor-in-chief, reportedly an earnest but frustrated man trying to navigate the bizarre world of local news. Joining him is Sabrina Impacciatore, who stole scenes in The White Lotus. Her character is said to be a tough, sharp-witted manager, the kind of grounded, confident presence that could clash or complement Gleeson’s character perfectly. These are not recycled Office characters, but if the casting says anything, it is that this show will be driven by strong personalities, deadpan delivery, and awkward encounters, all in the best way.
There is also a small but exciting returning face: Oscar Nunez will be reprising his role as Oscar Martinez. He is now working at the newspaper as the accountant, perhaps something more plot-driven. This small link to The Office does not overshadow The Paper but gives fans like me a breadcrumb trail to follow. It is a smart way to bridge worlds without leaning on nostalgia as a crutch. Daniels knows what made the original work: characters with surprising depth and enduring awkwardness.
It has also been confirmed that the show will live on Peacock, where The Office continues to thrive with rewatches and renewed appreciation. That makes The Paper feel even more like a spiritual continuation. While it is still the early days and many specifics are being kept under wraps, the creative DNA here is promising. It could be the reboot The Office fans did not know we needed. Because it is not a reboot at all, but something new with that same hilarious magic.
What The Paper Could Become
Here is where we get to let our imaginations run a little wild, but grounded in what we know Daniels and Koman are capable of. The Paper has the potential to take the classic workplace comedy format and point it at one of the most chaotic, overlooked industries today: local journalism. We have seen shows lampoon corporate offices, hospitals, and schools. But a newsroom? That is ripe for deadpan commentary, cringeworthy decision-making, and big personalities trapped in small cubicles. If done well, The Paper could be a razor-sharp, poignant, and wildly funny portrait of a dying industry clinging to life.
Gleeson’s involvement adds a layer of intrigue. He is known for roles that straddle serious and silly, and that is the exact tone The Office often nailed. I am imagining a Michael Scott-type, but instead of an oblivious manager, he is more of an exhausted idealist, drowning in deadlines and red pens. If the writing leans into how absurd and earnest local journalism can be, we could end up with something both biting and endearing. Impacciatore’s character could be his Jim, or his Jan. Either way, the dynamic is primed for slow-burn brilliance.
The show could also give us a new cast of oddball coworkers to love. Think of it: the snarky editor-in-training, the conspiracy-obsessed local columnist, the intern who thinks print media is vintage chic. Each department of The Paper could be a treasure trove of character quirks and passive-aggressive power plays. If Daniels and Koman weave those character studies into subtle commentary on fake news, community, and the value of truth, well, we have got something fresh that still scratches that familiar itch.
But most importantly, The Paper might capture what The Office did so well: humanity. Not in grand gestures, but in everyday awkwardness. A shared glance in a staff meeting. A silent fist bump. A broken copier leading to a life epiphany. If The Paper gives us that, it does not need to be “the next Office”. It will be its own thing, and that is what I hope it becomes.
Conclusion
While we do not know exactly what The Paper will be, the pieces coming together hint at something with real heart and a smart comedic edge. For fans of The Office, this is looking like a thoughtful expansion of the universe we already love, in a setting that is both new and relatable. If Daniels and Koman stick the landing, The Paper might be the rare spinoff that not only lives up to its predecessor but speaks to the strange, ridiculous, loveable mess of modern life in a fresh new voice. I do not know about you, but I am all in.
