The new comedy series The Paper has sparked excitement among fans of the iconic show The Office. Many are wondering if this is a direct sequel that continues the story from Dunder Mifflin. The answer is both simple and interesting. While The Paper exists in the same universe as The Office, it is not a direct sequel. Instead, it is a new story with a mostly new cast, following a different workplace and a new set of characters.
The Connection Between The Paper and The Office
The Paper is set in the same fictional world as The Office. The connection is established through the documentary crew. The same crew that filmed the employees at Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch is now documenting the lives of employees at a struggling newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, called the Toledo Truth Teller. This means the shows share a style and format, but not the same story or characters.
The storyline explains that the Dunder Mifflin paper company was sold to another company called Enervate in 2019. Enervate is based in Toledo and owns various paper-related businesses, including the Toledo Truth Teller newspaper. This corporate link is how the documentary crew finds its new subject. As Bob Vance from Vance Refrigeration mentions in the show, Dunder Mifflin is no longer in Scranton, which leads the crew to Toledo .
Only one character from The Office appears in The Paper. Oscar Martinez, played by Oscar Nuñez, has moved to Toledo and works as the head accountant at the Truth Teller. He is not thrilled to see the documentary crew again. His presence helps bridge the two shows but does not make the new series a direct continuation of the old one .
The Creative Minds Behind the Show
Greg Daniels, who developed the American version of The Office, is the co-creator of The Paper. He is working with Michael Koman, known for his work on Nathan For You. The involvement of Daniels and other producers from the original series, like Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, ensures that the new show has a similar feel and humor. However, the creators have emphasized that The Paper is its own entity with a distinct story and characters .
Greg Daniels explained that the documentary crew in the show wanted to find a new story rather than repeat what they had already done with Dunder Mifflin. This creative decision allows The Paper to stand on its own while honoring the legacy of The Office .
Setting and Characters: A Fresh Start
The Paper introduces a entirely new cast of characters. The show is set at the Toledo Truth Teller, a historic local newspaper that has seen better days. The staff is small, and the newspaper is struggling to survive in the digital age.
The main character is Ned Sampson, played by Domhnall Gleeson. He is the new editor-in-chief, an idealistic and enthusiastic person who wants to revive the newspaper. Unlike Michael Scott from The Office, Ned is more competent and less blundering, though he still has his awkward moments.
Other key characters include:
- Esmeralda Grand (Sabrina Impacciatore): The managing editor who is dramatic and scheming.
- Mare Pritti (Chelsea Frei): A former military reporter now dealing with clickbait stories.
- Ken Davies (Tim Key): A cynical British executive from Enervate.
- Adelola Olofin (Gbemisola Ikumelo) and Adam Cooper (Alex Edelman): Accountants who help with the newspaper.
- Detrick Moore (Melvin Gregg) and Nicole Lee (Ramona Young): Other staff members trying to keep the paper afloat .
The dynamic between these characters is different from the Dunder Mifflin team. The show explores themes like the decline of local journalism and the challenges of adapting to the modern media landscape. While there are similarities in the mockumentary style and office humor, the focus and setting are new .
How The Paper Compares to The Office
Fans of The Office will notice similarities in the tone and style of The Paper. Both shows use the mockumentary format, with characters speaking directly to the camera and awkward, humorous situations. The theme music of The Paper is also designed to sound similar but different to the original .
However, The Paper is not just a copy. It has its own identity. Greg Daniels described it as having “a little more Bad News Bears energy” because the characters are trying to accomplish something positive by saving the newspaper. In contrast, the employees at Dunder Mifflin were often just trying to get through the day .
Some critics and fans have pointed out that the first few episodes of The Paper feel a bit slow, similar to the first season of The Office or Parks and Recreation. However, the show finds its footing by the middle of the season, with stronger storylines and character development .
Will More Office Characters Appear?
So far, only Oscar Martinez is confirmed to be in The Paper. However, the door is open for other characters from The Office to make appearances in future seasons. Ellie Kemper, who played Erin in the original series, has expressed interest in being part of the new show. Other actors like Creed Bratton and Kate Flannery attended the premiere, sparking rumors .
The show’s creators have not ruled out cameos, but they want to respect the endings of the original characters. They focus on making The Paper strong enough to stand on its own without relying too heavily on nostalgia .
Fan and Critical Reception
The response to The Paper has been generally positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 83%, with critics calling it a “promising start” and a “potentially worthy successor” to The Office .
Fans have had mixed reactions. Some love the new characters and setting, while others miss the original cast. A common criticism is about the character Esmeralda, whom some find annoying. However, many agree that the show has potential and improves as the season progresses .
The series premiered on Peacock on September 4, 2025, with all 10 episodes available at once. It has already been renewed for a second season, indicating that the platform has confidence in its success .
Also Read: Where Was The Paper Season 1 Filmed? A Simple Guide
Credits: nbc.com, esquire.com
