The Office spin-off turns comic spotlight on hapless newsroom
Few sitcoms inspire the level of devotion that The Office does.
The American mockumentary, based on the UK original created by Ricky Gervais, ran from 2005 to 2013 and became a cultural phenomenon, endlessly rewatched and memed by fans who still find themselves quoting America’s answer to David Brent – Michael Scott – on a regular basis.
Its mix of deadpan humour, relatable characters and documentary style intimacy made it one of the most beloved comedies and now, more than a decade after the Scranton branch shut its doors, its creators are returning to the format with a new workplace comedy.
The Paper, from the team behind the US adaptation of The Office, follows the same documentary crew that once filmed office supplies company Dunder Mifflin as they turn their cameras on a struggling Midwestern newspaper, the Toledo Truth-Teller.
With Domhnall Gleeson as its hapless editor Ned Sampson and Oscar Nuñez reprising his role as accountant Oscar Martinez, the series aims to capture the spirit of The Office while telling its own story.
The Office’s original creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant also served as executive producers on the show.
Gleeson, whose character tries, against the odds, to breathe life back into local journalism, describes Ned as both earnest and disastrous.
With no budget to hire trained reporters, Ned leans on the paper’s dwindling staff, cajoling disgruntled employees into volunteering as journalists despite them having no idea what they’re doing.
“Ned’s leadership is totally different to the bosses we knew before,” Gleeson explains. “He’s running a newspaper, so the ramifications go out into the real world and there’s a feeling of what they’re doing really matters.”
But his skill level doesn’t quite match his enthusiasm, “and that’s why it’s a comedy rather than a drama”.
That balance between stakes and silliness is key to what show creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman are attempting to do with The Paper.
Gleeson, best known for his role as Bill Weasley in Harry Potter, admits that stepping into a leading role in such a beloved show was daunting.
“Before I read it I was thinking, ‘Oh my God, those are big shoes to fill’, but then I realised this is a whole new story and I’m not playing a version of David Brent or Michael Scott, it’s actually totally new.
“Once I understood that, I realised I needed to find my own shoes and not try to wear anyone else’s.”
Still, the DNA of The Office runs through The Paper, with the same invisible film crew behind the lens, and fans will spot at least one familiar face in front of it: Oscar Nuñez.
The 66-year-old American actor reprises his role as the dry-witted accountant of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch and he is now crunching numbers at the Truth-Teller and “finding his footing in a new city”.
While in real life more than a decade has passed since he was on our screens, in Greg Daniels’ world “it’s only been four years so it’s really where we left him”.
This made it easier for Nuñez to reprise the character and he hopes the familiarity of his character will act as a bridge for fans who may be wary of the new setting.
“The stories and tone of the show are similar – it’s still about figuring out what your workmates mean to you and putting them in ridiculous situations,” he says.
He adds that there will be a few Easter eggs for fans but he admits he can’t say much more about that just yet.
Similar to Gleeson, Nuñez was aware of the pressure of reviving a character audiences feel such affection for, but he only “thought about it for a minute”.
“Greg Daniels was concerned about that too but then I realised there’s nothing you can do about it,” he tells the BBC.
The Paper is a slow burner in a similar way to The Office and Nuñez hopes that will work as “people are used to that formula.”
He says the show “definitely does move faster than The Office” as by the end of the first season some characters are already getting closer to each other, but he warns that people will need to “be patient with it”.
Among those new characters is Esmeralda, played by Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore, best known for her Emmy-nominated role in season two of The White Lotus.
She tells me she is bringing a very different energy to this character as she’s “lively, loud and very sneaky. She will manipulate anyone to get what she wants”.
She jokes that this could be her last Hollywood character so “wanted her to be very bold”.
Impacciatore admits that the weight of expectation has been nerve-racking.
“We feel pressure, of course, because The Office is so beloved. You can watch it now and it’s still so funny, still timeless.”
But she’s reassured by the fact that Daniels, who was also The Office (US) showrunner, was behind the project, which meant “the spirit is the same but the dynamics and relationships are all different”.
As the release date for the show approaches, Impacciatore says nerves are building.
“I am terrified. There are moments of panic where I wonder if, in a few weeks, my career will end.
“But I know I gave everything, commitment, attention and respect for the show. I really lived the situation, it wasn’t just acting.”
Fans hoping for more of Scranton may not get exactly what they expect, but all three actors advise fans to watch it with no expectations.
“If you expect something, you’ll be disappointed. Just sit down with an open heart, relax, and allow yourself to be surprised,” Impacciatore says.
That plea may be wise, as while The Paper will inevitably be compared to its predecessor, the creators and cast seem determined to carve out something distinct. They are clear that this show isn’t a reboot or remake but a new story with a familiar DNA.
“It may surprise people that The Paper is not the same as The Office, but I hope they like it and realise we tried to make something that will stand on its own two feet,” Gleeson says.
The Paper can be seen on Peacock in the US and on Sky and Now in the UK from 5 September.
