📰The Paper (2025) Review — The Office’s Witty Heir Finds Its Voice in Chaos

“Sometimes, to print the truth, you first have to survive the newsroom.”

The legacy of The Office lives on — not with staplers in Jell-O or Dundie Awards — but with The Paper, a bold, hilarious, and deeply heartfelt mockumentary that reminds us why awkward humor and human flaws make for timeless TV.

Streaming now on Peacock, The Paper (2025) captures the messy revival of a small-town newspaper in Toledo, Ohio — and the return of familiar documentary cameras, two decades after they left Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch.

✍️ A New Chapter in “Office” History

Created by Greg Daniels (yes, The Office mastermind) and Michael Koman, The Paper is a spiritual successor rather than a reboot. It’s not trying to recreate The Office’s magic — instead, it evolves it.

Set in a world drowning in clickbait, the Toledo Truth Teller becomes a battlefield for ideals. Leading the charge is Domhnall Gleeson as Ned Sampson, an ex-toilet paper salesman who somehow ends up running a failing newspaper. Opposite him stands Sabrina Impacciatore (White Lotus) as Esmeralda Grand, the fiery managing editor who’d rather print viral fluff than investigative truth.

Their dynamic feels like Michael Scott meets Miranda Priestly — chaotic, sharp, and endlessly entertaining.

📰 A Modern Mockumentary with Old-School Soul

Where The Office gave us paper jams and awkward meetings, The Paper dives into the mess of modern journalism — AI articles, budget cuts, social media scandals, and corporate overlords who care more about clicks than credibility.

Characters like Chelsea Frei’s Mare Pritti and Melvin Gregg’s Detrick Moore deliver the perfect blend of dry wit and absurd realism. Meanwhile, the return of Oscar Nuñez as Oscar Martinez adds a nostalgic heartbeat — a reminder of where this all began.

There’s even a cheeky moment when a camera pans to Oscar’s exasperated face and he mutters, “Not again,” — a direct wink to fans who’ve followed since The Office.

💡 Inspiration and Legacy — The Office’s Spirit Reimagined

The DNA of The Office is everywhere, but The Paper stands on its own two feet. It trades corporate absurdity for newsroom chaos, and cubicle politics for journalistic ethics.

Where The Office explored boredom and belonging in corporate life, The Paper explores the price of truth in a world that prefers lies dressed as headlines.

It’s heartfelt. It’s cynical. It’s laugh-out-loud funny.

Or as Ned puts it in one of the show’s most memorable lines:

“You can’t print the truth if your printer’s on fire — and here, it’s always on fire.”

🎭 Cast Highlights

• Domhnall Gleeson — the perfectly awkward, idealistic editor trying to resurrect a dying medium.

• Sabrina Impacciatore — ruthless, charming, and hilarious as the paper’s iron-fisted manager.

• Oscar Nuñez — his return alone makes this a must-watch for The Office fans.

• Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Ramona Young — the quirky backbone of the Toledo newsroom.

The cast chemistry makes even the smallest moments shine — whether it’s a fight over font choices or a heartfelt apology over cold coffee.

🖥️ Where to Watch

📺 The Paper is now streaming exclusively on Peacock, with all episodes from Season 1 available.

And yes — before the ink could dry on its debut issue — the series was renewed for Season 2.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is The Paper connected to The Office?

Yes! It’s a spinoff following the same documentary crew from The Office, now focusing on a struggling newspaper in Toledo, Ohio.

2. Do any characters from The Office return?

Yes — Oscar Nuñez reprises his role as Oscar Martinez, now an accountant working at the same building as the Toledo Truth Teller.

3. Where can I watch The Paper?

You can stream all episodes exclusively on Peacock.

4. Who created The Paper?

The series was created by Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation) and Michael Koman (Nathan for You).

5. Will there be a Season 2 of The Paper?

Yes! Peacock renewed The Paper for a second season even before its official premiere.

6. How is The Paper different from The Office?

While The Office focused on corporate life, The Paper explores the chaos of modern journalism — still awkward, still hilarious, but with sharper social commentary.

💬 Final Verdict

The Paper isn’t just another mockumentary — it’s a smart, self-aware evolution of a genre The Office defined. With humor, chaos, and surprising heart, it proves that stories about everyday people doing ridiculous things are still the truest form of comedy.

Verdict: 📰 “Smart, nostalgic, and painfully funny — journalism has never looked this delightfully doomed.”