# The Paper (2025 TV series)
**The Paper** is an American mockumentary comedy television series and a spinoff of *The Office*, created by [Greg Daniels](https://www.edgepedia.org/greg-daniels) and [Michael Koman](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-koman) for the streaming service Peacock. It follows the same documentary crew that filmed [Dunder Mifflin](https://www.edgepedia.org/dunder-mifflin)'s Scranton branch as they find a new subject: a struggling historic newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, and the publisher trying to revive it.[1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper) Season 1 premiered on September 4, 2025 with ten episodes.[2](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/peacock-announces-sept-4-premiere-date-office-spinoff-paper) • [1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Mockumentary workplace comedy, TV-14, episodes averaging about 27 minutes[3](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/84611/the-paper) |
| Creators | Greg Daniels (developer of the U.S. *The Office*) and Michael Koman (co-creator of *Nathan for You*), also executive producers and writers[1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper) |
| Setting | The fictional *Toledo Truth Teller*, a struggling local newspaper in Toledo, Ohio[4](https://www.13abc.com/2025/09/01/filmtoledo-host-viewing-party-paper-sept-4/) |
| Lead cast | Domhnall Gleeson (Ned Sampson), Sabrina Impacciatore (Esmeralda Grand), Chelsea Frei (Mare Pritti), with Oscar Nuñez reprising his *Office* role as accountant Oscar Martinez[1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper) • [5](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-paper-season-1-first-reviews/) |
| Seasons | Season 1: 10 episodes, September 4, 2025; Season 2: 10 episodes, September 2026[1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper) • [6](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/everything-know-about-paper-season-2) |
| Reception | Season 1 debuted at 85% on Rotten Tomatoes; the series holds an 81% Tomatometer and a Metacritic Metascore of 66[7](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/comedy-shows/the-office-spin-off-the-paper-debuts-to-a-higher-rotten-tomatoes-score-than-the-original-show-but-has-left-critics-divided/) • [8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_paper_2025) • [9](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-paper-2025/critic-reviews/) |
| Production | Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group; executive producers include Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein, Ben Silverman, and Banijay Americas[1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper) |
## Spoilers
### Premise
The series continues the documentary-crew device of *The Office*: the camera team that once chronicled the Dunder Mifflin paper company in [Scranton, Pennsylvania](https://www.edgepedia.org/scranton-pennsylvania) turns its attention to another paper business, the *Toledo Truth Teller*, a once-prominent Midwestern newspaper now reduced to a small staff in a corner of one floor of its former offices, which it shares with a toilet-roll brand.[1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper) • [10](https://theweek.com/culture-life/tv-radio/the-paper-the-office-spin-off-review) The paper's output has dwindled to clickbait and wire copy; its digital version is described as mostly photos and pop-up ads, and its print edition, as managing editor Esmeralda Grand explains in the premiere, "really only exists for people to have something to frame when they are mentioned."[11](https://apnews.com/article/0629e68314bae0b7dc7778aab56631a3)
The plot is set in motion by Ned Sampson ([Domhnall Gleeson](https://www.edgepedia.org/domhnall-gleeson)), an idealistic new editor-in-chief who has never worked at a newspaper and wants to return the *Truth Teller* to its former glory, leading a staff of largely inexperienced volunteer reporters.[10](https://theweek.com/culture-life/tv-radio/the-paper-the-office-spin-off-review) • [1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper) The show's only experienced journalist is Mare Pritti (Chelsea Frei), a former Army member who wrote for a military newspaper.[12](https://theticker.org/17068/arts/arts-amp-style/the-paper-reflects-the-striking-realities-of-dwindling-local-news/)
### Season 2
Peacock renewed *The Paper* for a second season on September 3, 2025, one day before the series debuted.[23](https://www.peacocktv.com/blog/the-paper-season-2-peacock) • [9](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-paper-2025/critic-reviews/) Season 2 premiered in September 2026; NBCUniversal's promotional article gives the date as Wednesday, September 9, 2026, while Peacock's FAQ page gives September 10, 2026.[6](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/everything-know-about-paper-season-2) • [1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper) The season follows the staff after they sweep the Ohio Journalism Awards: Ned searches for a journalistic crusade that ends up jeopardizing the paper, he and Mare try to figure out their attraction, Esmeralda struggles to find her place, and the reporters gradually mature.[6](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/everything-know-about-paper-season-2) As of recent reporting, Peacock had not announced a third season.[24](https://www.macobserver.com/entertainment/the-paper-season-3-renewal-status-toledo-truth-teller/)
## Development
Greg Daniels, who adapted the British *The Office* for American television, was reluctant to reopen that world when NBC approached him about a reboot or spinoff, telling *The Wrap* that he would never want to redo the same show with a different cast.[13](https://www.poynter.org/business-work/2025/peacock-the-paper-domhnall-gleeson-office-spinoff/) • [14](https://time.com/6976282/peacock-office-spinoff-greg-daniels-cast-plot-reboots-history-reactions/) With limited calendar space because of his Prime Video series *[Upload](https://www.edgepedia.org/upload-tv-series)*, and some apprehension, he moved forward only after encouragement from his old *Office* team, and he brought in Michael Koman, co-creator of [Comedy Central](https://www.edgepedia.org/comedy-central)'s satirical docuseries *Nathan for You*, as creative partner.[15](https://www.thewrap.com/the-paper-finale-greg-daniels-michael-koman-the-office/) • [16](https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/online-originals/the-paper-greg-daniels-the-office)
Daniels and Koman deliberately built the series as a spinoff rather than a sequel, shifting to a Toledo newspaper with an almost entirely new cast.[17](https://au.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/the-paper-co-creators-interview-local-news-83911/) The single returning *Office* character is accountant [Oscar Martinez](https://www.edgepedia.org/oscar-martinez-the-office), played by Oscar Nuñez in a recurring role.[18](https://au.variety.com/2025/tv/features/the-office-sequel-the-paper-dont-call-it-reboot-27226/) • [1](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper) Behind the camera, *Office* alumni contributed institutional knowledge, including writer [Paul Lieberstein](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-lieberstein) (who also played Toby) and director Ken Kwapis.[18](https://au.variety.com/2025/tv/features/the-office-sequel-the-paper-dont-call-it-reboot-27226/) Daniels also retained the ability to shut the project down at any time before footage was released; Koman said informing him of that was the first thing Daniels did.[19](https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/how-the-office-spinoff-the-paper-pulled-off-the-impossible/)
The creators framed the choice of local journalism as a matter of conviction rather than convenience; [NBCUniversal](https://www.edgepedia.org/nbcuniversal) executive Pearlena Igbokwe said it was clear the two cared about a field under threat.[18](https://au.variety.com/2025/tv/features/the-office-sequel-the-paper-dont-call-it-reboot-27226/) The Associated Press review placed the show's tone between the absurdity of *The Office* and the optimism of *Parks and Recreation*, with Ned Sampson's devotion to local news echoing [Leslie Knope](https://www.edgepedia.org/leslie-knope)'s devotion to public service.[11](https://apnews.com/article/0629e68314bae0b7dc7778aab56631a3)
## Release and broadcast
Peacock announced the September 4, 2025 premiere date on July 10, 2025.[2](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/peacock-announces-sept-4-premiere-date-office-spinoff-paper) In August 2025 the service shifted the release strategy from a weekly schedule to an all-at-once drop of all ten episodes, putting the full season before viewers ahead of the fall TV season.[20](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/peacock/peacock-shifts-release-strategy-for-the-paper-heres-whats-changed-for-the-office-spinoff) The series also ran on NBC's linear schedule in late 2025, but NBC pulled it before the first season finished its weekly broadcast run, replacing it with repeats of *[Stumble](https://www.edgepedia.org/stumble-tv-series)*; because the show is a [Peacock](https://www.edgepedia.org/peacock-streaming-service) original, the change did not affect its streaming availability or renewal prospects.[21](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/nbc-pulling-the-paper-before-finishing-first-season-good-news-taran-killam-stumble)
Outside the United States, the series airs on Sky Max and the streaming service NOW in the UK, beginning September 5, 2025.[22](https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltdc2476c7b6b194dd/bltf8467226ca37b2f3/688c946d0c54e10f038645b8/WTW_Autumn_2025.pdf)
## Reception
Season 1 debuted to an 85% score on Rotten Tomatoes, four points above *The Office*'s 81% average, though many individual *Office* seasons score higher, with seasons 2, 3, and 5 at 100%.[7](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/comedy-shows/the-office-spin-off-the-paper-debuts-to-a-higher-rotten-tomatoes-score-than-the-original-show-but-has-left-critics-divided/) On Metacritic the first season holds a Metascore of 66, based on 39 critic reviews, of which 24 were positive, 14 mixed, and 1 negative.[9](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-paper-2025/critic-reviews/) Reviewers noted the inevitable comparison with *The Office*; the Los Angeles Times called the show a spot-on commentary on the state of journalism while judging *The Office* the stronger series, and *The Guardian* found the familiar mockumentary rhythms comfortingly and wearyingly familiar at once.[25](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2025-09-03/the-paper-review-the-office-peaock) • [10](https://theweek.com/culture-life/tv-radio/the-paper-the-office-spin-off-review)
Early reviews of Season 2 (77% on Rotten Tomatoes) suggested the show was breaking away from its predecessor, with critics praising its bigger comedic swings while some worried that a cluster of romantic storylines risked diluting the journalism satire.[26](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-paper-season-2-first-reviews/) • [8](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_paper_2025)
## References
1. [The Paper, Peacock](https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-paper)
2. [Peacock Announces Sept. 4 Premiere Date for THE PAPER from Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, NBCUniversal Media](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/peacock-announces-sept-4-premiere-date-office-spinoff-paper)
3. [The Paper, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/84611/the-paper)
4. [FilmToledo to host viewing party for "The Paper" Sept. 4, 13abc](https://www.13abc.com/2025/09/01/filmtoledo-host-viewing-party-paper-sept-4/)
5. [The Paper: Season 1 First Reviews, Rotten Tomatoes editorial](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-paper-season-1-first-reviews/)
6. [Everything to Know About 'The Paper' Season 2, NBCUniversal Media](https://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/everything-know-about-paper-season-2)
7. [The Office spin-off The Paper debuts to a higher Rotten Tomatoes score than the original show, GamesRadar](https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/comedy-shows/the-office-spin-off-the-paper-debuts-to-a-higher-rotten-tomatoes-score-than-the-original-show-but-has-left-critics-divided/)
8. [The Paper, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_paper_2025)
9. [The Paper (2025) critic reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-paper-2025/critic-reviews/)
10. [The Paper: new show, same 'warmth and goofiness', The Week](https://theweek.com/culture-life/tv-radio/the-paper-the-office-spin-off-review)
11. ['The Paper' blends the absurdity of 'The Office' and the optimism of 'Parks and Recreation', AP News](https://apnews.com/article/0629e68314bae0b7dc7778aab56631a3)
12. ['The Paper' reflects the realities of dwindling local news, The Ticker](https://theticker.org/17068/arts/arts-amp-style/the-paper-reflects-the-striking-realities-of-dwindling-local-news/)
13. [What we know about 'The Paper,' the 'Office' spinoff about an Ohio ghost newspaper, Poynter](https://www.poynter.org/business-work/2025/peacock-the-paper-domhnall-gleeson-office-spinoff/)
14. [Everything We Know So Far About Peacock's New Spinoff of The Office, Time](https://time.com/6976282/peacock-office-spinoff-greg-daniels-cast-plot-reboots-history-reactions/)
15. [The Paper Creators on Season 1 Finale and The Office DNA, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/the-paper-finale-greg-daniels-michael-koman-the-office/)
16. [The Paper: How Greg Daniels Made The Office's First Spinoff, Television Academy](https://www.televisionacademy.com/features/online-originals/the-paper-greg-daniels-the-office)
17. ['The Paper' Co-Creators on Why News Matters, Rolling Stone](https://au.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/the-paper-co-creators-interview-local-news-83911/)
18. [Greg Daniels Was Hesitant to Revisit 'The Office.' But Then Came the Idea for 'The Paper', Variety](https://au.variety.com/2025/tv/features/the-office-sequel-the-paper-dont-call-it-reboot-27226/)
19. [How 'The Office' Spinoff 'The Paper' Pulled Off the Impossible, The Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/how-the-office-spinoff-the-paper-pulled-off-the-impossible/)
20. [Peacock shifts release strategy for 'The Paper', Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/peacock/peacock-shifts-release-strategy-for-the-paper-heres-whats-changed-for-the-office-spinoff)
21. [NBC Is Pulling One Comedy Before Finishing The First Season, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/nbc-pulling-the-paper-before-finishing-first-season-good-news-taran-killam-stumble)
22. [Sky Max & NOW Autumn 2025 brochure](https://assets.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltdc2476c7b6b194dd/bltf8467226ca37b2f3/688c946d0c54e10f038645b8/WTW_Autumn_2025.pdf)
23. [The Paper Renewed for Season 2, Peacock blog](https://www.peacocktv.com/blog/the-paper-season-2-peacock)
24. [The Paper Season 3 Renewal Status, MacObserver](https://www.macobserver.com/entertainment/the-paper-season-3-renewal-status-toledo-truth-teller/)
25. ['The Paper' review, Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2025-09-03/the-paper-review-the-office-peaock)
26. [The Paper Season 2 First Reviews, Rotten Tomatoes editorial](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/the-paper-season-2-first-reviews/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Scripted television and comedy series › Sitcom and comedy series › Mockumentary comedy series*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
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