The Office pilot director reveals his feelings while directing the new The Paper spin off series

The Office is getting a fresh chapter, and it’s arriving in the form of a brand-new spin-off titled The Paper, set to premiere on Peacock in September 2025. Behind the camera is a familiar face, Ken Kwapis, the director who helped set the tone of the original series with its pilot episode. Now, years later, he’s back in the director’s chair, bringing his signature touch to a story that, while new, still feels rooted in the DNA of The Office.

Returning to this world wasn’t just a professional choice for Kwapis, it was a personal one. In recent interviews, he spoke openly about the mix of emotions he felt: nostalgia, pressure, and excitement. Directing the Paper meant stepping back into a rhythm he helped create, but also finding new ways to keep that rhythm relevant. This isn’t The Office 2.0, and that’s exactly the point.

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A familiar format, a different kind of workplace

For nine seasons, The Office changed the way we think about workplace comedies. Kwapis, who directed some of its most important episodes, returns with a clear understanding of what made the show work, and just as importantly, what shouldn’t be repeated. This time, the mockumentary format follows not a paper company, but a struggling local newspaper in Toledo, Ohio.

In The Paper, we’re introduced to The Truth Teller, a newsroom full of idealists, misfits, and jaded professionals trying to hold on to the relevance of print journalism. It’s about chasing meaning in an industry that’s constantly shrinking, and about the people who still care enough to try.

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What The Paper is about

At the heart of the story is Ned, played by Domhnall Gleeson, an editor who hasn’t quite let go of his big ideas, even when no one else is listening. He’s determined to restore the soul of the newspaper, even if it means fighting uphill battles daily. By his side is Esmerelda (Sabrina Impacciatore), the sharp, no-nonsense editor-in-chief who’s been around long enough to know when to push and when to duck.

The cast also features Oscar Nuñez reprising his role as Oscar Martinez, a subtle but powerful connection to The Office. Now working as the paper’s accountant, Oscar’s return is a wink to fans and a sign that this new story still lives in the same universe.

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A strong ensemble, on and off the screen

Joining Gleeson, Impacciatore, and Nuñez are Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Ramona Young, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, and Tim Key, a cast that brings together comedic instincts and emotional depth. Their chemistry is essential in bringing this small newsroom to life, and early stills hint at a dynamic mix of personalities.

Behind the scenes, The Paper was developed by Greg Daniels, the creator of the U.S. version of The Office, and Michael Koman (Nathan for You). Also involved as executive producers are Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the minds behind the original British series. It’s a creative team that knows how to walk the fine line between absurdity and sincerity.

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The Office and its lasting legacy

Since it first aired in 2005, The Office has earned its place as one of the most influential sitcoms in TV history. With its quiet humor, uncomfortable pauses, and oddly lovable characters, it reshaped comedy for the modern workplace. More than a decade later, its reruns still feel oddly current, and maybe that’s why revisiting the format now makes sense.

The Paper doesn’t aim to recreate those exact moments, but it shares the same heartbeat: ordinary people trying (and failing) to do something meaningful in systems that don’t always care.

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Release date and what to expect

The Paper is set to debut on Peacock in September 2025. For longtime fans of The Office, it’s a return to a familiar kind of storytelling, one that doesn’t rely on punchlines, but on people. For new viewers, it’s an entry point into a format that’s intimate, observational, and often painfully honest.

What makes The Paper stand out is its sense of timing, both comedically and culturally. In an era where local journalism is fading, the show steps in with empathy, wit, and just enough chaos to keep things grounded. It’s not trying to be louder than its predecessor. It’s trying to speak a little quieter, but still be heard.