What to Expect from The Paper the New Follow-Up Series to The Office

Stephen Merchant Shares His Thoughts

Stephen Merchant, who co-created the original The Office series with Ricky Gervais, has weighed in on the new American The Office series, reportedly titled The Paper. In a candid discussion, Merchant mentioned how office life has evolved significantly since the original series aired. Office politics have changed. It’s a different world than when we did our version, he noted. Despite these challenges, Merchant expressed excitement, stating, I’m a fan of the American version and I’m a fan of Greg [Daniels], and I’m excited to see what he does.

Changes in Office Dynamics Highlighted by Merchant

Merchant acknowledged how many aspects of office life are now conducted online. He humorously added, One in every three episodes, presumably they’re just on Zoom. If there’s a guy who has a crush on the receptionist, he’ll have to ask the human resources department if he’s allowed to ask her out.

Peacock Confirms Casting Choices

Peacock has officially ordered The Paper, which is set to star Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore. The duo is expected to bring intriguing dynamics to this fresh project.

No Cameo from Steve Carell

Unfortunately for fans, Steve Carell has declined to reprise his role as Michael Scott in the sequel series. Carell told The Hollywood Reporter, I will be watching but I will not be showing up. It’s just a new thing and there’s really no reason for my character to show up in something like that.

Rainn Wilson Remains Open to Cameo

Unlike Carell, Rainn Wilson hasn’t ruled out the possibility of making an appearance. Reflecting on his time in The Office, he shared candidly, I spent several years really mostly unhappy because it wasn’t enough. This openness might pave the way for a potential cameo in The Paper.

Emily Blunt’s Unique Pitch for Jim and Pam’s Storyline

Emily Blunt also had some intriguing ideas for The Paper. She suggested an unusual twist where Jim is actually Pam’s ex-boyfriend, and though that exact storyline isn’t confirmed, it highlights the creative enthusiasm surrounding the series.

The Official Logline for The Paper

The new series follows a documentary crew previously involved with Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch as they explore a historic Midwestern newspaper trying to reestablish itself with help from volunteer reporters. According to one statement: The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch is in search of a new subject when they discover a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it with volunteer reporters.