The Paper Trailer: New Office-Style Comedy Hits Sept 4

The Office universe has expanded again - to a newsroom this time! The Paper, Peacock's new spinoff, just released its first official trailer, and it has reignited excitement about the future of documentary-styled sitcoms. With recognizable characters, a new energy, and some good old fashioned newsroom dysfunction in a mockumentary style, the show wants to strike that warm nostalgic chord while telling present-day stories.

What the Trailer Reveals

Start with a familiar documentary crew, but now they’re stationed at The Truth Teller in Toledo, Ohio, a struggling local newspaper. Meet Ned Sampson (Domhnall Gleeson), the idealistic—and a bit flustered—editor-in-chief trying to revitalize the newspaper’s legacy. His earnest, deadpan interviews to the camera and the chaos of the newsroom exhibited the same tone and energy that were loved in The Office.

In a fun surprise, Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nuñez) reappears as the newspaper's accountant, who is reluctantly pulled with Ned into the insanity. The trailer teases oddball reporters, awkward staff meetings, and the absurdities of running a legacy publication in the digital age. It’s as if classic mock-doc has now encountered the challenges of small-town journalism, with a soft sense of both familiarity and novelty.

Why This Matters to Fans and Culture

The Office explored real-life workplace absurdity and a human-hearted satire in the offices and cubicles of Dunder Mifflin. The Paper follows in this outline—showing absurdity in human error, and decaying institutions, and idealism working against corporate absurdity. Under the watch of former The Office creators, such as Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, and who also have comedic executives in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, it will have an emotional reach that goes beyond big laughs.

Oscar's occasion holds potential of nostalgia and reinvention. Just as The Office focused on paper sales, this time it focuses on newsprint. And even if Steve Carell doesn't return, even if Michael Scott isn't there, the absence is not felt, in fact, it is purposeful, in a way, it's leaving the story open for others in the same universe.

First poster for the new ‘THE OFFICE’ series ‘THE PAPER’

The series follows the Dunder Mifflin documentary crew as they focus on a dying Midwestern newspaper & its reporters. pic.twitter.com/kU5K5XvXOX

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 7, 2025

What to Expect from The Paper

• Mockumentary Format: Expect talking-heads, awkward silences, editing cuts—you know the drill, now with newsroom flair.

• Character Dynamics: Equipoise of fresh energy (Gleeson’s Ned) and seasoned apathy (Nuñez’s Oscar).

• Cultural Pulse: Themes of journalism under pressure, digital transformation, volunteer interns, and outdated presses echo real-world shifts.

• Kindred Tone: Whether you're team Parks and Rec or team The Office, this trailer hints at both heart and satire.

Conclusion

The debut trailer for The Paper strikes a nostalgic chord while offering something fresh—a newsroom comedy that promises familiar laughs with a modern lens. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of The Office or new to the format, this has the potential to be the next must-watch mockumentary. Mark your calendars and get ready to revisit that sweet spot where chaos, awkwardness, and heart collide—this time, in a newsroom.