‘The Office’ Icon Teases Unexpected Twist Before Epic Return in ‘The Paper’ Spin-Off

Is it possible for lightning to strike the same spot twice… but with less paper and more deadpan? As someone who’s watched The Office spiral from a cult favorite into an outright pop-culture hurricane, I can’t help but raise an eyebrow—and maybe a mug of tepid coffee—at the news that Oscar Nunez is stepping back into the mockumentary spotlight with The Paper. Imagine, the only returning face from the iconic cast now chasing stories in a failing Midwest newsroom. Will Dunder Mifflin loyalists give this reboot their attention, or will the “that’s what she said” magic just end up in the recycling bin? I’ll admit, nostalgia can cloud judgment, but part of me is genuinely rooting for Nunez and his band of quirky new co-workers—if only so I can keep writing about TV that makes awkward silence an art form. Curious what heartfelt plea Oscar has for jittery fans and just how weird the first day on set actually got? Oh, you should. LEARN MORE

The Office star Oscar Nunez has sent a message to fans ahead of the release of the new spin-off show, The Paper.

Nunez is the sole member of the original The Office cast to be coming back for the spin-off, which will see the same documentary crew follow a failing mid-west newspaper.

Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Nunez, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, and Tim Key, the spin-off TV show has had fans concerned that it will not live up to The Office.

The US spin-off of the classic British show was beloved amongst fans upon its release, earning nine seasons.

After this, it went on to become the most-streamed show in the world in 2020, being watched in the US alone on Netflix for 57 billion minutes, leading to some major life changes for the cast.

The Office was a huge hit for Netflix during 2020 (NBC)

One fan took to X and summed up many people’s concerns, saying: “I’m definitely curious [about The Paper], but I’m worried it won’t capture the original’s magic. The market for reboots is so saturated right now.”

Speaking exclusively to LADbible, Nunez had a message for fans of The Office worried about the new show.

He said that if fans of the show are watching and it isn’t living up to their expectations, then they ‘have two choices’, adding: “Stop watching or continue. I’m going to tell them to continue watching despite their worries and concerns, and they should try to enjoy it.”

This was an opinion shared by Domhnall Gleeson, who stars in the show as Ned, the newspaper’s idealistic new editor.

When asked about how Ned is a very different boss from Michael Scott and David Brent, he said: “Listen, The Office already exists and it’s perfect. It’s beautiful and it’s there.

“We’re not trying to do the same thing, because that already is there, you know?

“It’s possible for people that The Paper just won’t be for them and that’s all okay, but it’s a different vibe.”

He went on to agree that Ned is a ‘different sort of boss’, saying: “He’s a different sort of boss, a different sort of leader, and it leads to different sorts of stories. But I think it’s a good thing.”

Sabrina Impacciatore, who plays Esmerelda in the show, the former interim editor who is keen on clickbait and minimal journalism, revealed that Steve Carrell and John Krasinski actually happened to be there for the first day on set.

The cast of The Paper (Peacock)

She said that, on the first day, they happened to be filming a commercial together for an Italian coffee brand and came over to speak to the cast.

Gleeson, when asked about this, said: “I was bizarre. They were doing an ad, and I’d worked with Steve and John before doing The Paper, and for them to be both there the first day, I was like, ‘What the hell is going on?’

“It blew my mind. But they literally just came by to say, good luck as support which just the shows the measure of them.”

The Paper releases September 5.