Is Peacock’s ‘The Paper’ the new ‘Office’ we’ve been waiting for? Gets renewed for season 2 before it even premieres

Peacock’s ‘The Paper’ lands a season 2 renewal before its debut, with fans already calling it the next ‘The Office’.

Peacock is betting big on its latest comedy, The Paper, which has already been renewed for a second season before the first episode even hits screens. The decision comes just one day ahead of the September 4 premiere, signalling NBCUniversal’s confidence in the new series. Early buzz and strong internal feedback pushed the streamer to commit to the future of the show, which has been billed as a fresh yet familiar entry in The Office universe.

The Paper stars Domhnall Gleeson as Ned Sampson, a former toilet paper salesman suddenly tasked with reviving a struggling local newspaper in Toledo. Alongside him is Sabrina Impacciatore as Esmeralda, the interim editor with her own agenda, and an ensemble of quirky co-workers forced to step into the world of journalism with little experience. The series embraces the mockumentary style that made The Office a global hit, even bringing back Oscar Nuñez to reprise his role as Oscar, providing a direct link between the two shows.

The renewal was announced by Gleeson and Impacciatore live on NBC’s Today show, surprising fans who hadn’t even had a chance to watch the premiere. Series co-creator Greg Daniels, who also co-created The Office, has already begun plotting stories for season 2, ensuring the show maintains momentum. Daniels noted that while critics and insiders have praised the series, the ultimate test will be how fans of The Office embrace its offbeat newsroom setting.

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Peacock has opted for a full-season binge release, dropping all ten episodes at once to appeal to modern viewing habits. While some fans may miss the week-to-week anticipation that helped The Office build its cult following, the streamer is banking on audiences devouring The Paper in one go. Internationally, Sky has secured rights for the UK and Ireland, expanding its reach before the debut.

With its mix of nostalgia and new characters, The Paper is being hailed as a worthy successor to The Office. The show offers humour, heart and a satirical look at the state of journalism today. Whether it can capture the same lightning in a bottle remains to be seen, but for now, Peacock is confident this newsroom comedy has staying power.