Peacock’s The Paper Delivers a Fresh Scoop for The Office Universe
All ten episodes are now streaming on Peacock—and the series has already been renewed for Season 2. Here’s what to know before you binge. (NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA)
The elevator pitch
From creator Greg Daniels (The Office) and co‑creator Michael Koman (Nathan for You), The Paper brings the mockumentary cameras back—this time to a struggling Midwestern newsroom, The Toledo Truth Teller, where a new editor-in-chief tries to revive local journalism with a volunteer staff pulled from wherever he can find it. Think classic workplace cringe with a dash of civic pride. (NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA)
Who’s in the newsroom?
Domhnall Gleeson plays Ned Sampson, the optimistic (and wildly underprepared) editor-in-chief.
Sabrina Impacciatore is Esmeralda Grand, the publicity‑hungry managing editor.
Oscar Nuñez returns as Oscar Martinez—yes, that Oscar—now the head accountant who’s pulled back in front of the doc crew.
Rounding out the ensemble: Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, and Tim Key. (NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA)
How to watch (and how long it is)
Peacock switched rollout plans and dropped all 10 episodes at once on Sept. 4—so it’s a true binge. Episodes run about 26–32 minutes each and stream exclusively on Peacock. Want a taste first? Watch the official trailer and you’ll get the tone immediately. (NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA)
What’s the vibe?
It’s set in Toledo, Ohio, and keeps the vérité, to‑camera confessionals you know, but trades paper sales for press deadlines, town‑hall dustups, and the messiness of modern local news. The documentary crew is canonically the same one that followed Dunder Mifflin, which gives the series a familiar rhythm without rehashing Scranton storylines.
Early reactions (spoiler‑free)
On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 sits at 85% Tomatometer (critics) and 75% audience score as of today—Certified Fresh.
Critics are split on how well the show balances sentiment and satire: The Guardian calls it “dated” compared to newer mockumentaries, while Vulture highlights its unexpectedly tender take on the decline of local news.
RT’s roundup notes The Hollywood Reporter’s positive read on the ensemble (“a solid first season”). And yes—right now The Paper even edges The Office’s series‑long average on RT. (Rotten Tomatoes)
One episode everyone will be talking about
If your feed mentions the “Man Mitt,” you’re not imagining it. A late‑season plotline involving a dubious “flushable” product manages to be both gross‑out gag and media satire—one of the season’s buzziest bits. (Cinemablend)
Does it connect to The Office?
Light connections, smartly used. Oscar’s return gives the doc crew a plausible reason to show up, and there are nods to the old universe without undoing any character endings. The idea is to live adjacent, not to re‑open Scranton. (NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA)
Light Season‑1 finale note (no major plot specifics): the newsroom earns some unexpected recognition, and a late relationship beat sets up new tensions for Season 2—already ordered by Peacock.
Quick facts
Creator/EPs: Greg Daniels & Michael Koman (with Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein, Ben Silverman among EPs)
Stars: Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Oscar Nuñez, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, Tim Key
Episodes: 10 (Season 1) | Runtime: ~26–32 min | Rating: TV‑14
Where to watch: Peacock (all episodes available now) (NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA)
Should you watch?
If you loved the documentary‑style rhythm and character awkwardness of The Office, this is an easy add to your queue. It’s not trying to top Michael Scott; it’s aiming for a new workplace with real stakes (save the paper or lose it forever), and the cast sells that mix of scrappy ambition and sincere heart. Even skeptics of legacy‑IP spin‑offs may find a couple of standout performances—and at least a few scenes that’ll blow up your group chat.
Rule Mobile’s take
Stream it. The Paper is comfort‑food workplace comedy with a timely hook. Start with Episodes 1–2 to get the newsroom dynamics, then jump to the much‑discussed back‑half antics if you’re sampling.
