The long-awaited sequel to The Office is coming into sharper focus as Peacock confirms a fresh wave of casting for its upcoming workplace comedy, The Paper. Set in the same universe as the beloved sitcom, the new series will trade Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch for the high-stakes chaos of a struggling Midwestern newspaper.
Three new cast members—Melvin Gregg (Snowfall, Nine Perfect Strangers), Chelsea Frei (The Moodys, The Cleaning Lady), and Ramona Young (Legends of Tomorrow, Never Have I Ever)—have officially joined the ensemble. They’ll star alongside previously announced leads Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore, forming a brand-new team of quirky professionals navigating life behind the bylines.
While The Paper won’t feature returning Office characters as regulars, the series is canonically connected to the original, leaving the door open for potential cameos. Steve Carell, who played the iconic Michael Scott, has expressed reluctance about returning. Meanwhile, Rainn Wilson has shown more enthusiasm about a potential appearance as Dwight Schrute—despite questioning how his character would logically find his way from Scranton to the Midwest.
“If Greg [Daniels] asks me, I’d be more than happy to be involved,” Wilson told CinemaBlend, although he admitted disappointment that the spinoff didn’t stay in Pennsylvania. “I always felt there should be multiple spinoffs, like the Law & Order franchise.”
Created by The Office showrunner Greg Daniels and comedy veteran Michael Koman, the show is being produced by Universal Television with a powerhouse team of executive producers, including The Office UK creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, as well as Howard Klein, Ben Silverman, and Banijay Americas.
According to NBCU’s president of scripted content Lisa Katz, the show is meant to tap into the timeless appeal of The Office, which has remained a top draw for audiences on Peacock even more than a decade after its finale.
“This new series brings a fresh ensemble of characters in an exciting new setting—a daily newspaper that introduces plenty of opportunities for humor,” Katz shared.
Though no official premiere date has been set, anticipation is already mounting. With its blend of new faces, familiar comedic DNA, and a fresh workplace setting, The Paper is poised to deliver the kind of clever, character-driven comedy fans have come to expect from The Office universe.