{"id":262733,"date":"2026-09-13T12:16:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T12:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/13\/the-paper-cast-addresses-stepping-away-from-too-many-references-to-the-office-its-own-entity\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T12:16:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T12:16:00","slug":"the-paper-cast-addresses-stepping-away-from-too-many-references-to-the-office-its-own-entity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/13\/the-paper-cast-addresses-stepping-away-from-too-many-references-to-the-office-its-own-entity\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018The Paper\u2019 Cast Addresses Stepping Away From Too Many References to \u2018The Office\u2019: \u2018It\u2019s Own Entity\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"


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While The Paper<\/em> is a spinoff of The Office<\/em><\/a>, the NBC sitcom is making attempts to not reference its predecessor too often in season 2.<\/p>\n

The Paper<\/em> included only one mention of The Office<\/em><\/a> in its return on Wednesday, September 9, when Oscar (Oscar Nu\u00f1ez<\/strong>) received a call from Kevin (Brian Baumgartner<\/strong>), who wasn\u2019t seen on screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great to create our own path since Oscar knows those people but we don\u2019t,\u201d Melvin Gregg<\/strong>, who plays Detrick, exclusively told Us<\/em>. \u201cI don\u2019t know if it would be best for the show [to mention The Office often].\u201d<\/p>\n

Gregg appreciated The Paper<\/em> finding its own lane.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>How Does ‘The Paper’ Differ From ‘The Office’? Cast and Creators Explain<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe Paper may be taking a page out of The Office\u2019s book, but Dunder Mifflin feels like a world away. Set in a fictional Ohio newsroom, The Paper centers around publisher Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) and the staff of struggling journalists working for newspaper The Truth Teller. The employees \u2014 which includes Dunder Mifflin\u2019s beloved accountant [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIt could be great. But that\u2019s why I leave that to the writers to explore,\u201d he added. \u201cBut I love the dynamics we have. I love the guest stars they bring on. They\u2019re always great, so whoever they decide to bring on, I know it\u2019ll complement the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ramona Young<\/strong> (Nicole) had a similar perspective, telling Us<\/em>, \u201cThe writers know what they\u2019re doing, and they\u2019re gonna bring the people they feel [are] right to the show. I also feel like The Paper is its own entity and has their own stories and their own world, even though it\u2019s set in the same universe.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Paper<\/em> bridged the gap with its predecessor<\/a>, The Office<\/em>, when it premiered in September 2025 by having the same camera crew return to check in on Dunder Mifflin. However, they learned the paper company was gone after being acquired. Instead, the documentary shifted focus to the Toledo Truth-Teller \u2014 a Midwestern newspaper on its last legs until Ned \u2014 an overzealous cardboard salesman turned editor in chief, played by Domhnall Gleeson \u2014 stepped in.<\/p>\n

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\n The cast of The Paper<\/span> Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The rest of the cast was made up of Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, <\/strong>Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, <\/strong>Young, Tim Key<\/strong> and The Office<\/em>\u2018s Nu\u00f1ez.<\/p>\n

\u201cI prefer living in our own universe. I think that The Paper is its own entity,\u201d Duane Shepard Sr. (Barry) told Us. \u201cWe have our own characters and our own personalities. In the way the show is going right now \u2014 and how the public is responding to it \u2014 I think is perfect for what we\u2019re doing at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shepard Sr. continued: \u201cIt was useful at the beginning to get eyes on us. But now that they\u2019ve seen us, I think that they realize, \u2018Wait a minute, this is a great show and a great premise.\u2019 I think that we\u2019re going to be able to carry our own now without having to hang on their coattails.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Which ‘The Office’ Alums Returned for \u2018The Paper’?<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tFans of The Office are in for good news as they watch The Paper: multiple characters from Dunder Mifflin make their way onscreen. In the pilot episode of The Paper \u2014 which was released on Thursday, September 4, viewers quickly learn that Dunder Mifflin was purchased by a company that sells products made out of [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Eric Rahill (Travis), meanwhile, pointed at the show\u2019s attempt<\/a> to keep The Office<\/em> references \u201cpretty small.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more we can establish ourselves as our own thing, I think it\u2019s for the best,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

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