When The Paper first premiered on Peacock, it was easy to see it as just another spin-off of The Office. But by Season 2, the staff of the Toledo Truth Teller has carved out its own identity, complete with messy romances, ambitious journalism, and a few familiar faces from Dunder Mifflin. In a recent chat with Collider, co-creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman opened up about the season's biggest twists, the emotional core of the story, and the Office reunion that almost happened.
This season, Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) spends most of his time chasing a big journalistic crusade while trying to keep his relationship with Mare (Chelsea Frei) from becoming another office drama. Spoiler alert: it doesn't work, and Mare ends up leaving for a rival paper in Cincinnati. But as the season unfolds, Ned's investigation into the Glass Club becomes the very story that could bring her back. Daniels explains, "There is a shape of it from a romantic standpoint of him trying to juggle both his romance and his obligations to the paper." Koman adds, "Our goal is always to combine a newspaper story with an emotional story."
That blend of personal and professional stakes is what makes The Paper feel fresh, even as it nods to its predecessor. Season 2 includes a few check-ins with Oscar (Oscar Nuñez) and Kevin (Brian Baumgartner), but Daniels reveals there was originally a much bigger connection to The Office that got cut. "We kind of..." he trails off, hinting that the scene risked overshadowing the new show's own identity. It's a delicate balance, and one the creators are clearly mindful of.
One of the most surprising arcs this season belongs to Nicole (Ramona Young). After losing her best friend Mare and breaking up with Detrick (Melvin Gregg), she spirals into a fixation on Lisa. Daniels says it's rooted in Season 1, where Nicole convinced herself she had no feelings for Detrick, only to realize she was wrong. "She's someone who's trying to plan her life and by controlling her emotions if they're inconvenient for her, and she finds out that you can't do that," Koman explains.
The season also introduces a character written as a "Jon Lovitz-type," and in a delightful twist, the comedy legend himself ended up playing the part. It's a meta moment that fits the show's playful tone, and it's just one of many guest stars that helped Season 2 feel bigger and bolder.
For fans of The Office, the show's connection to that universe remains a key draw. But Daniels and Koman are careful not to lean too heavily on nostalgia. As they continue to build out the world of the Toledo Truth Teller, they're proving that The Paper can stand on its own two feet—even if it occasionally tips its hat to the past.
If you're looking for more Office-adjacent content, check out our ranking of the most pivotal episodes of the original series. And for more on the show's future, stay tuned—Season 3 is already in the works.
