The Paper season 1 brings the fictional Toledo Truth-Teller newsroom to life. While the show is set in Toledo, Ohio, it was actually filmed mostly in Los Angeles, California. The series is a spin-off of The Office and follows the daily chaos of a struggling newspaper trying to survive in the digital age. Hereโs everything you need to know about where the show was made and how it connects to its famous predecessor.
The Main Filming Location
The primary filming for The Paper took place at Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. This is the same studio where many famous movies and TV shows have been filmed, like Jurassic Park, Seinfeld, and Superstore. The exact address is 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California.
Although the story is set in Ohio, the production team built detailed sets inside the studio to recreate the look and feel of a real newsroom. The showโs creators wanted to make sure the setting felt authentic, even though they werenโt filming in Toledo itself.
Greg Daniels, one of the creators, explained: โIt starts with [the crew] trying to find out what’s up with Dunder Mifflin, and they find out some stuff, and it leads them in a new direction to a different city.โ
This studio is owned by NBCUniversal, which also produced The Office. Many of the same behind-the-scenes crew members worked on The Paper, helping to create a similar mockumentary style.
Why Toledo, Ohio, Matters
Even though the show wasnโt filmed in Toledo, the city plays a big role in the story. The creators wanted to capture the spirit of a Midwestern town dealing with changes in the newspaper industry. To make the show feel real, the cast and crew visited real newspapers in Toledo, like The Blade, which is the cityโs oldest newsroom.
During these visits, they studied how newsrooms operate and what makes Toledo unique. For example, the show includes references to local businesses like Jupmode, Barry Bagels, and Black Kite Coffee. Even local sports teams, like the Toledo Walleye and Mud Hens, are expected to be mentioned in the series.
Riley Runnells, a former editor at the Toledo City Paper, shared: โI was very starstruck because Iโm a huge fan of [Domhnall Gleeson]. He visited the City Paperโs office and spoke to me for over an hour.โ
The people of Toledo are excited to see their city featured in a major TV show. Many hope it will bring more attention to the area, just like The Office did for Scranton, Pennsylvania.
How The Paper Connects to The Office
The Paper is set in the same universe as The Office. The same documentary crew that followed the employees of Dunder Mifflin now focuses on the Toledo Truth-Teller. One familiar character from The Office appears in the new series: Oscar Martinez, played by Oscar Nuรฑez. He is now the head accountant at the newspaper.
Oscar Nuรฑez joked about his return: โI told Mr. Greg Daniels that if Oscar came back, he would probably be living in a more bustling, cosmopolitan city. Greg heard me, and he moved Oscar to Toledo, Ohio.โ
While no other major characters from The Office are confirmed to appear, some of the original actors, like Steve Carell and John Krasinski, visited the set during filming. This helped create a sense of continuity between the two shows.
Behind the Scenes of Production
Filming for The Paper began in July 2024 and wrapped up by the end of the year. The show features an ensemble cast, including Domhnall Gleeson as Ned Sampson, the new editor-in-chief, and Sabrina Impacciatore as Esmeralda Grand, the managing editor.
The production team paid close attention to็ป่ (details), making sure the sets, props, and costumes reflected the feel of a real newspaper office. They even reached out to Toledo businesses for authentic items like magnets, drinkware, and stickers to use in the background of scenes.
Stephen Gullette, a marketing specialist for JลชPMODE, noticed: โNext to a red desk chair, slightly out of focus, is the edge of what appears to be a gray metal cabinet. On it are two magnets โ one pink, the other yellow. Both are shaped like Ohio.โ
The first season consists of 10 episodes, all directed by experienced filmmakers, including Ken Kwapis and Paul Lieberstein, who also worked on The Office.
How to Watch The Paper
The Paper season 1 premiered on September 4, 2025, on Peacock. All episodes were released at once, so viewers can binge the entire season. The show is also available in Australia on Binge and Foxtel, and in the UK and Ireland on Now and Sky UK.
The series has received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its humor, characters, and respectful nod to The Office without copying it.
Also Read: The Paper, Spinoff of The Office Releases All Episodes on Peacock With Season 2 Already Confirmed
