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By Mallory Mattingly
Peacock’s THE OFFICE follow-up, titled THE PAPER, will debut in September, and fans just got their first look.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, THE PAPER will follow a historic but struggling newspaper company in Toledo, Ohio. Former OFFICE showrunner Greg Daniels and Michael Koman will write the series. Oscar Nuñez will reprise his role as Oscar Martinez from THE OFFICE.
THE PAPER “features the documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch,” NBC wrote in a press release for the series. “The crew is in search of a new subject when they discover a historic Toledo newspaper, The Truth Teller, and the eager publisher that is trying to revive it.”
While at NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation, Nuñez shared that he isn’t surprised by his character’s move from Scranton to Toledo, saying that Oscar would’ve wanted a more cosmopolitan area.
“Greg heard me and moved Oscar to Toledo, Ohio, which has three times the population of Scranton,” the actor revealed. “So it’s nice to be heard.”
Daniels explained that THE PAPER will employ much of the same crew from THE OFFICE and believes fans will love the new story.
Related: How THE OFFICE Actress’ Former Co-Stars Supported Her Through Cancer
“It’s about this struggling Midwestern newspaper that’s much reduced from its glory days. A lot of the story lines are about how this guy, Domhnall Gleeson’s character, is trying to restore this paper, and he just doesn’t have the budget for hiring reporters, and he has to use all the staff that work there on a volunteer basis to be reporters. They’re completely untrained and don’t know what they’re doing,” the showrunner said. “It’s a fruitful premise. There’s a tremendous history for local papers. The villain here is the internet and the ability to look at everybody’s news for free, and all the ad revenue going to Google.”
Domhnall Gleeson, who will star in the series, also spoke at the presentation. “Fans of THE OFFICE will be delighted to Oscar back at work, and some older fans will look at me and be glad that Meredith is also coming back,” he joked, referencing his red hair.
Nuñez and Gleeson’s costar Sabrina Impacciatore joined them at the presentation.
“We are three members of a wonderful ensemble cast of underdog characters that are banding together to keep journalism alive,” Gleeson added. “My character has the unwavering optimistic belief that he can turn The Truth Teller to the glory of its heyday… And, if you’re wondering, I will not be using this Irish accent.”
Impacciatore revealed that the series will begin streaming on Peacock in September, so OFFICE fans will have to wait a few more months to see if THE PAPER lives up to the beloved mockumentary.
Read Next: Peacock Greenlights THE OFFICE Spinoff
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