‘The Paper’ debuts on Peacock in September with star-studded cast and fresh story

Picture a struggling historic newspaper in the heart of America’s Midwest, with a documentary crew capturing every moment of tension, humor, and hope. That’s the premise of The Paper, a new series set in the same universe as The Office, poised to deliver the same comedic charm and mockumentary realism that won over global audiences. Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, has shared exciting details about the show, including its first official image and a confirmed September 2025 premiere. Featuring a cast led by Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, and the returning Oscar Nuñez, the series is already generating significant buzz.

The NBCUniversal upfront presentation to advertisers in New York served as the stage for these reveals. Alongside the promotional image, which depicts the chaotic yet familiar office of the Toledo Truth-Teller, the event showcased key cast members, including Gleeson, Impacciatore, and Nuñez, who appeared on stage. It was also announced that the series will launch in September, with an exact premiere date to follow.

Key highlights of The Paper include:

• Fresh setting: The Toledo Truth-Teller newspaper replaces Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch as the central stage.
• Diverse cast: Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore bring new energy, while Oscar Nuñez ties the series to its roots.
• Confirmed premiere: Set for September 2025, with further details forthcoming.
• Heavyweight production: Greg Daniels, Ricky Gervais, and Stephen Merchant are among the executive producers.

The announcement of The Paper comes at a time when the mockumentary genre continues to thrive, with shows like Abbott Elementary and What We Do in the Shadows keeping the format relevant. Setting the series in a newspaper taps into contemporary issues, such as the decline of print media, while maintaining the sharp humor that defined The Office.

First look at the setting

The promotional image released by Peacock offers a glimpse into the world of The Paper. The Toledo Truth-Teller office is filled with details evocative of small-town newsrooms, from stacks of papers to outdated computers and cluttered bulletin boards. Captured by photographer Aaron Epstein, the image shows a diverse team in action, hinting at the organized chaos that made The Office so engaging.

A trailer screened during the upfront presentation further sets the scene, with the documentary crew weaving through the office, capturing employee interactions. Oscar Nuñez, reprising his role as Oscar Martinez, appears visibly annoyed by the cameras’ return, suggesting the series will retain its meta-humor. Sabrina Impacciatore, known for The White Lotus, plays the editor-in-chief with intense charisma, while Domhnall Gleeson portrays an idealistic new employee whose optimism may clash with the newspaper’s grim reality.

Toledo, Ohio, as the setting is a deliberate choice. Known for its industrial heritage and cultural significance, the city represents the often-overlooked Midwest. The Toledo Truth-Teller, a fictional newspaper, embodies the struggles of local publications facing financial and technological challenges. The series appears poised to tackle these issues with humor, while keeping the focus on human connections.

Star-studded cast in focus

The cast of The Paper is a major draw. Alongside Gleeson, Impacciatore, and Nuñez, the series features Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, and Tim Key. Each actor brings a unique flair, promising a rich and varied dynamic.

Notable cast members and their known roles include:

• Domhnall Gleeson: Star of Ex Machina and Star Wars, he plays an idealistic newcomer.
• Sabrina Impacciatore: Fresh off The White Lotus, she leads as the editor-in-chief.
• Oscar Nuñez: Reprises his The Office role as Oscar Martinez, now the newspaper’s accountant.
• Chelsea Frei: Known for The Moodys, she adds comedic depth.
• Melvin Gregg: Recognized from The Blackening, he brings charisma to the ensemble.

The cast’s diversity aligns with modern audience expectations, offering a fresh take while Nuñez’s return provides a nostalgic link for The Office fans. The trailer’s glimpses of their chemistry suggest The Paper will balance humor and heart, much like its predecessor.

Production with industry giants

The creative team behind The Paper inspires confidence. Greg Daniels, who adapted The Office for American audiences, co-created the series with Michael Koman, known for Nathan for You. Their collaboration promises to preserve the irreverent yet human tone that defined The Office.

Executive producers include The Office creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, alongside Howard Klein, Ben Silverman, and Banijay Americas (formerly Reveille). Universal Television, the studio behind hits like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, handles production, ensuring high-quality execution.

This powerhouse lineup suggests The Paper will be a carefully crafted addition to the The Office universe, blending familiar humor with a fresh narrative. Daniels’ track record of creating memorable characters and engaging arcs bodes well for the series’ potential to resonate with both longtime fans and new viewers.

Journalism as a narrative core

The Toledo Truth-Teller is more than a backdrop. The official synopsis describes the series as following a documentary crew covering a historic newspaper and its editor’s efforts to revive it. This places the crisis of print media at the heart of the story. In the U.S., local newspapers have faced steep declines, with many closing or downsizing due to digital competition and shrinking ad revenue.

The Paper seems ready to address these challenges with a light touch, avoiding heavy-handedness. The trailer hints that the Toledo Truth-Teller is on the brink of collapse, with employees navigating tight deadlines, outdated equipment, and internal conflicts. The mockumentary format adds humor, allowing the series to comment on storytelling itself within a chaotic setting.

Key elements of the setting include:

• Struggling newsroom: The paper faces financial and technological hurdles.
• Team dynamics: Employee conflicts and alliances drive comedic moments.
• Obsolete tools: Old computers and printers create a nostalgic vibe.
• Pressure for relevance: The editor-in-chief fights to keep the paper alive.

The newspaper setting also opens the door to timely themes, such as media polarization, misinformation, and the role of local journalism in small communities. While primarily a comedy, these elements could lend depth, connecting The Paper to issues that resonate with today’s audiences.

Ties to The Office

The connection to The Office is a key selling point. The original series, which chronicled the daily lives of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch, became a cultural juggernaut with 201 episodes from 2005 to 2013. Its mockumentary style, with cameras following characters and direct-to-audience confessions, created an intimate feel that won over millions.

The Paper adopts this format, with the documentary crew now focused on the Toledo Truth-Teller. Oscar Nuñez’s return as Oscar Martinez is a direct tie to the original, hinting at subtle connections within the shared universe. In the trailer, Martinez’s frustration with the cameras echoes his The Office role, where he often remarked on the documentary’s intrusion.

The series draws inspiration from other extensions of The Office’s legacy. The British version, created by Gervais and Merchant, set the mockumentary tone, while projects like The Office Ladies podcast, hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, have kept the franchise alive. The Paper has the chance to build on this legacy, introducing new characters and stories while honoring its roots.

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Peacock’s broader lineup

The NBCUniversal upfront highlighted that The Paper is one of several high-profile projects for Peacock in 2025. The platform announced an animated Ted series featuring Seth MacFarlane, a reboot of The Burbs starring Keke Palmer, the drama All Her Fault with Sarah Snook, and the comedy Dig led by Amy Poehler.

These announcements underscore Peacock’s commitment to a diverse slate, blending comedy, drama, and animation. Positioning The Paper as a centerpiece suggests it’s a priority, with potential to attract both The Office fans and new subscribers. The September premiere slots the series in a strategic window, post-summer, when platforms vie for viewer attention.

Other announced projects include:

• Ted (animated series): Based on Seth MacFarlane’s film, promising bold humor.
• The Burbs (reboot): Keke Palmer stars in a fresh take on the classic comedy.
• All Her Fault: A drama featuring Sarah Snook of Succession fame.
• Dig: A lighthearted comedy starring Amy Poehler.

Launched in 2020, Peacock has been bolstering its original content to compete with giants like Netflix and Disney+. Hits like Poker Face and Twisted Metal have established its creative credentials, and The Paper is poised to enhance that reputation.

Anticipation for the premiere

The September 2025 premiere confirmation for The Paper has sparked excitement online, with The Office fans sharing their enthusiasm. September is a strategic launch month, aligning with the fall TV season when viewership spikes. While the exact date remains undisclosed, Peacock has promised more details soon.

The brief trailer shown at the upfront has fueled curiosity. Its mix of humor, drama, and social commentary feels in line with The Office’s appeal, but the newspaper setting offers a fresh angle. The inclusion of talents like Impacciatore and Gleeson raises expectations, given their recent standout performances.

The Paper faces the challenge of balancing nostalgia with originality. While The Office fans will look for ties to the original, new viewers will want a standalone story. Greg Daniels and his team’s expertise suggests they can strike this balance, but success will hinge on creating characters as iconic as Michael Scott or Dwight Schrute.

Coming this September to Peacock: The Paper

From the world of The Office comes a fresh new series. The documentary crew returns, this time capturing the story of a once-great Midwestern newspaper now kept alive by a team of volunteer reporters. pic.twitter.com/UepGlnPp0A

— The Office Memes (@OfficeMemes_) May 13, 2025

Toledo as a vibrant backdrop

Setting The Paper in Toledo, Ohio, adds authenticity. Located on Lake Erie’s edge, Toledo boasts a storied industrial past but faces economic challenges common to the Midwest. The Toledo Truth-Teller reflects the reality of local papers struggling to stay relevant in a digital age.

The trailer indicates Toledo is integral to the story, with exterior shots showcasing the city’s historic buildings and tree-lined streets, contrasting the newsroom’s chaos. Choosing a lesser-known city over metropolitan hubs like New York underscores The Paper’s focus on everyday people in extraordinary circumstances.

Aspects of Toledo featured in the series:

• Industrial roots: Known for manufacturing and trade, shaping its identity.
• Local culture: Events like festivals or landmarks like the Toledo Museum of Art may appear.
• Economic struggles: The series may touch on the impact of industrial decline.
• Tight-knit community: Toledo’s personal connections drive the narrative.

Toledo’s role allows The Paper to explore universal themes, like resilience amid change. Local journalism, often overlooked, emerges as a symbol of hope, infused with the series’ signature humor.

Mockumentary’s enduring appeal

The mockumentary genre, elevated by The Office and Parks and Recreation, remains vibrant, and The Paper arrives as the format feels more relevant than ever. Its ability to blend humor with social commentary makes it ideal for tackling journalism’s challenges. The series seems set to use this style to explore tradition versus modernity, all while keeping laughs front and center.

Recent hits like Abbott Elementary prove the genre’s staying power. The Paper’s documentary crew setup allows playful storytelling, delivering humor and introspection. Nuñez’s genre experience ties the series to The Office’s legacy, while new cast members inject fresh energy.

With The Office still a streaming juggernaut globally, The Paper has potential for international appeal. Peacock, available in select markets outside the U.S., could leverage the series to grow its subscriber base, especially among fans of the original.

Peacock’s 2025 ambitions

The NBCUniversal upfront made clear that Peacock is going all-in for 2025. Beyond The Paper, the platform’s slate spans genres, reflecting the need to stand out in a crowded streaming landscape dominated by Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

Peacock’s investment in originals is central to its strategy, with successes like Dr. Death and Bel-Air paving the way. Featuring The Paper prominently signals confidence in its potential as a flagship series. The involvement of Daniels and stars like Impacciatore bolsters this ambition.

Peacock is also eyeing global expansion, with plans to bring more content to regions like Europe and Latin America. While The Paper targets U.S. audiences primarily, its universal humor and human stories could make it a worldwide hit.