‘The Paper’ Creators and Cast Discuss Building a New Mockumentary World at ATX TV Festival

The world of The Office may have inspired Peacock’s The Paper, but according to the cast and creators, the new series is determined to carve out its own identity.

During “THE PAPER” panel presented by Peacock at ATX TV Festival, co-creators and executive producers Greg Daniels and Michael Koman joined cast members Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Oscar Nuñez and Melvin Gregg to discuss the critically acclaimed Peacock comedy, its newsroom setting and what audiences can expect moving into Season 2.

The conversation explored how the series approaches the mockumentary format, the evolving dynamics among the newsroom staff and how the cast built believable chemistry while portraying a struggling local newspaper office.

How Did the Team Place The Paper Within the World of The Office?

Daniels explained that the creative team approached The Paper from the perspective of the documentary crew first, asking what type of subject matter would realistically attract their attention after filming the Dunder Mifflin employees in Scranton.

According to Daniels, local journalism felt like a compelling next step because newspapers are filled with unpredictable personalities and emotionally charged situations that naturally lend themselves to documentary storytelling.

Koman, who did not work on The Office but whose wife did, said the team also wanted the setting itself to carry emotional and cultural meaning. He noted that Scranton’s association with The Office created a real-world impact on the city, so it was important for The Paper to similarly reflect the identity and struggles of its location.

He added that the decline of print journalism mirrored the trajectory of many industrial cities that once thrived economically before facing major shifts in their industries.

Daniels also connected the show’s themes to broader anxieties within Hollywood itself, noting that television writers increasingly relate to the uncertainty journalists feel as industries confront rapid technological changes, including artificial intelligence.

How Did the Show Approach the Modern Mockumentary Format?

Daniels said one of the biggest creative priorities was maintaining a believable documentary perspective rather than treating the mockumentary style simply as an aesthetic choice.

He explained that the writers wanted every scene to feel justified from the camera crew’s perspective, ensuring there was always a believable reason the filmmakers would be present and allowed into a particular environment.

Daniels noted that modern mockumentaries sometimes stretch that logic by placing documentary crews in overly private spaces without explanation. For The Paper, the team intentionally tried to remain disciplined about where cameras could realistically exist within the world of the show.

What Excited Sabrina Impacciatore About Playing Esmeralda?

Impacciatore described Esmeralda as chaotic, unpredictable and emotionally driven, qualities she found refreshing as an actor.

She explained that much of the character began forming during the audition process, which immediately gave her inspiration for how Esmeralda should behave and interact with others.

At the same time, Impacciatore admitted she was initially concerned about portraying a character who could easily be viewed as manipulative or unlikeable. To make Esmeralda more sympathetic, she imagined the character as someone acting out of survival instincts rather than cruelty.

How Has Detrick Changed Over the Course of the Series?

Gregg said he was drawn to Detrick because of the character’s sincerity and uncertainty, qualities he had not often been able to explore in previous roles.

He explained that Detrick’s sweetness and insecurity made him especially interesting to play because the character does not hide behind confidence or performative behavior in the same way many people do in real life.

As the series progresses into Season 2, Gregg said Detrick begins developing a stronger sense of identity and discovering new interests and passions within the newsroom.

What Surprised Chelsea Frei About Mare?

Frei explained that Mare begins the series emotionally exhausted and cynical after years of disappointment within the journalism industry.

However, she said the arrival of the optimistic and enthusiastic Ned slowly changes Mare’s outlook, allowing a warmer and more hopeful side of the character to emerge over time.

According to Frei, Ned’s energy gradually influences the rest of the office as well, helping Mare reconnect with the reasons she originally cared about journalism.

What Was It Like for Oscar Nuñez to Return as Oscar?

Nuñez said returning to Oscar felt natural because the character remains fundamentally the same person audiences knew from The Office.

He joked that while Oscar may have explored different aspects of his identity over the years, he ultimately remains focused on doing his job and staying out of unnecessary drama.

In The Paper, Oscar once again works as an accountant and initially keeps some emotional distance from his coworkers. However, Nuñez noted that the character still has a softer side.

How Did the Cast Build a Believable Newsroom Dynamic?

The panelists agreed that creating a convincing newsroom environment depended heavily on building genuine chemistry off-camera.

Frei recalled that one of her earliest filming experiences involved improvising ordinary office behavior alongside Nuñez before any formal scenes had even been shot. Watching him naturally move through the office environment taught her how to physically inhabit the workspace and interact casually with coworkers in the background of scenes.

She explained that the simple act of wandering between desks, carrying papers and casually talking with cast members helped establish the rhythms and familiarity of a functioning newsroom.

Daniels praised the cast’s comedic instincts and compared the experience of assembling the ensemble to building a talented basketball team where every performer could successfully support one another during scenes.

Impacciatore added that the creators intentionally cast not only strong comedians but also kind and collaborative people. She said that atmosphere of warmth and trust was essential because comedy often requires actors to be emotionally vulnerable and willing to take creative risks together during long filming days.

Conclusion

The “THE PAPER” panel highlighted how Peacock’s newsroom comedy is balancing nostalgia for The Office with a desire to tell its own timely story about journalism, workplace relationships and uncertainty in changing industries. While the series embraces the awkward humor and documentary realism fans expect from the mockumentary genre, the cast and creators emphasized their commitment to grounding the show in authentic emotional dynamics and believable workplace culture.

As the team teased what lies ahead in Season 2, one thing became clear: The Paper is continuing to expand beyond its connection to The Office and establish itself as a workplace comedy with its own voice, characters and perspective.