Cast of The Paper (2025 TV Series): Actors & Office Ties

If you’ve been wondering who’s behind the desks in Peacock’s new spin-off The Paper, you’re not alone. The series carries the DNA of The Office but swaps the paper company for a struggling Midwestern newspaper — and brings a fresh set of faces with surprising ties to the original.

Premiere year: 2025 ·
Network: Peacock ·
Main cast members: 8 (Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, Tim Key) ·
Relation to The Office: Spin-off, same universe, new characters

The comparison table below lays out how the new series contrasts with its predecessor across key attributes.

Is The Paper a sequel to The Office?

The Paper is not a direct sequel — it’s a spin-off set in the same mockumentary universe. The series follows a struggling newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, with an entirely new cast and no returning main characters from The Office as regulars (Peacock Official Blog). The show is co-created by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, giving it the same DNA but a different workplace.

Why was Dwight’s spin-off cancelled?

Rainn Wilson’s proposed spin-off focusing on Dwight Schrute was cancelled after two seasons. Wilson himself confirmed the show “just didn’t work” and cited low ratings as the reason (per Deadline). That closure cleared the path for The Paper, which takes a similarly offbeat premise — a newspaper instead of a paper distributor.

Six features, one pattern: the new series deliberately avoids reusing old characters.

The following table shows the structural differences between the two series.

The implication: The Paper is a fresh start, not a continuation. It borrows the tone and format but builds a world entirely on new shoulders.

Who is the British guy in The Paper?

Viewers often ask about the “British guy” in the cast. Domhnall Gleeson, who plays lead editor Ned Sampson, is actually Irish — not British. He is best known for his roles in Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Ex Machina (Radio Times).

But two actors are from the UK: Tim Key, a British comedian, plays Ken Davies; and Michael Caine, the veteran British actor, has been reportedly linked to the series (Radio Times).

Is there an older actor with a British accent?

Yes — Michael Caine, now in his 90s, has been named in connection with the show on Wikipedia, though his exact role and episode count have not been confirmed by Peacock. The catch: while audiences might expect a British lead, the show’s casting draws from broader UK and Irish talent, not a single Michael Scott‑like figure.

Are any actors from The Office in The Paper?

No main cast members from the original Office (US) appear as regulars in The Paper. However, one familiar face does return: Oscar Nunez reprises his role as Oscar Martinez in a guest capacity (Radio Times). That’s the only direct character carryover so far.

Will any office characters appear in The Paper?

Beyond Oscar Nunez, no other Office characters have been announced. Steve Carell and John Krasinski visited the set as a friendly gesture (Radio Times), but neither appears in the series. The cast of the original show reunited at The Paper‘s premiere as a one‑time event (per NBC).

What this means: The Paper is not a nostalgia vehicle — it’s a standalone workplace comedy that happens to share a universe.

Will Steve Carell appear in The Paper?

As of now, Steve Carell has not been cast in The Paper. He and John Krasinski visited the set together, but a Variety report confirmed the visit was purely social (Radio Times). There has been no official announcement about a future cameo.

Why this matters: Fans hoping for a Michael Scott reunion will have to wait — if it ever comes — while the show establishes its own identity.

Is the guy from The Paper in Harry Potter?

Yes. Domhnall Gleeson played Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter films (Wikipedia – Domhnall Gleeson). That connection often surprises viewers, but it’s just one of many high‑profile roles (including General Hux in Star Wars) that Gleeson brings to the series.

Quotes on The Paper

“The Paper is an ‘Office’ spinoff in a different office.”

The New York Times (via Radio Times)

“Steve Carell and John Krasinski visited ‘The Paper’ set.”

Variety (via Radio Times)

“Rainn Wilson talks axed ‘The Office’ spinoff about Dwight.”

Deadline

“The Office cast had an epic reunion at The Paper premiere.”

NBC

For Office fans, The Paper offers a new workplace comedy with familiar DNA but a separate identity. The choice is whether to embrace it as a standalone curiosity or forever measure it against its predecessor. Domhnall Gleeson leads a cast determined to prove the spin-off can succeed on its own terms.

Related reading

• Aliens in the Attic: Cast, Streaming, Sequel & Plot Guide
• Malcolm in the Middle Cast: Original Actors and Revival Updates

For viewers curious about the ties to Dunder Mifflin, a look back at the original cast of The Office reveals how the new show connects to that beloved workplace.

Frequently asked questions