The Paper Review – A Promising but Uneven Start for Peacock’s Mockumentary

Peacock’s The Paper comes with a lot of weight on its shoulders as the follow-up to The Office. Instead of paper sales, it shifts focus to a struggling Midwestern newspaper, the Toledo Truth-Teller, and a new editor trying to hold it together. The mockumentary style is familiar, but the premise feels grounded and real.

This isn’t a wild or outlandish satire, it’s a very believable scenario about a fading industry, where volunteers and overworked staff attempt to salvage what’s left. That realism makes the comedy land in a different way, a slower burn but no less interesting.

Grounded Storytelling

What stands out most in The Paper is how organic its story feels. Nothing is overly exaggerated for laughs. Instead, the humor comes from the awkwardness, the bureaucracy, and the constant miscommunications in a crumbling organization. The grounded approach gives the show a certain weight that makes the characters’ struggles feel authentic. It feels less like a punchline machine and more like a living world, which could pay off in a big way as the show develops.

Domhnall Gleeson Leads With Strength

Domhnall Gleeson is the strongest element of the show by far. As Ned Sampson, the new editor-in-chief, he carries the perfect mix of nervous energy, reluctant leadership, and quiet determination. Gleeson makes Ned instantly sympathetic, even as his decisions are questionable or his confidence falters.

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Much like Steve Carell in The Office, Gleeson commands the screen, but he does it in a subtler, more lived-in way. He is a believable person dropped into an impossible situation, and the show thrives when it focuses on him.

Strong Supporting Players

The rest of the cast holds their own as well. Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, and Ramona Young each bring quirks and texture to the ensemble, and Oscar Nuñez returning as Oscar ties the series nicely to its predecessor without overwhelming it.

Everyone feels well placed in this little universe. There is no shortage of chemistry, and some interactions, especially those involving the accountants, have flashes of the greatness fans are looking for.

A Character Problem

But here’s the issue: Esmeralda Grand and Ken. Sabrina Impacciatore gives a solid performance, but the character feels off. Esmeralda was the managing editor before Ned arrived, and instead of working with him, she undermines him at every turn. Unlike Michael Scott or Leslie Knope, whose flaws made them lovable over time, Esmeralda comes off as antagonistic without reason. And that’s despite having a pretty good reason baked into the early minutes of the pilot.

She pretends to support Ned while actively sabotaging him, which makes her less engaging and more frustrating. It’s not that the character is poorly acted, it’s that her place in this world feels mismatched. Knowing Greg Daniels and his team, I have confidence that Esmeralda can evolve into a fan favorite by Season 2, but for now she is a weak link.

Ken suffers from a similar problem. Tim Key is a talented performer, but the character doesn’t have a strong motivation for being antagonistic. He feels like an attempt to recapture the awkward energy of David Brent, but he comes across as watered down and forgettable.

Even more frustrating is that the two characters who don’t quite work are both immigrants with accents, which unintentionally makes their disconnect stand out even more. It is not a knock on the actors, both of whom are clearly capable, but on how these roles are written. Right now, they feel more like archetypes than people who belong in the Truth-Teller’s world.

The Newsroom as a Character

What really elevates The Paper is the Toledo Truth-Teller itself. Much like how Dunder Mifflin was more than just an office setting, the newsroom feels alive. Its cramped spaces, outdated technology, and buzzing energy make it more than a backdrop, it is a reflection of the characters themselves.

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The building, the desks, and even the dusty stacks of unsent editions echo the struggles of a dying industry and the stubborn hope of those trying to revive it. When the staff bicker, brainstorm, or stumble through chaos, it feels tied directly to the identity of the Truth-Teller. It’s a subtle but powerful touch that gives the series depth and ensures this isn’t just a recycled premise in a new city.

Ink Still Drying

The show feels very much like the first season of The Office or Parks and Recreation. There is something here, but it hasn’t clicked into place yet. That’s not a criticism so much as an acknowledgment of how Daniels tends to build his worlds. The Paper isn’t a smash hit out of the gate, but it has the bones of something that could grow into one. For now, it’s a solid start, worth watching, with the potential to become much more.

The Paper is believable, well-acted, and grounded in a way that makes it stand apart from its predecessor. It may not be universally beloved just yet, but it has something real and authentic to offer. Like the struggling paper it portrays, the series itself has growing pains, but with time, it could become essential viewing.

I feel this season can be the groundwork for a lot more and could retroactively be better upon full context. But right now, I give The Paper a

6/10

The Paper is now streaming on Peacock, with the whole season available to binge.

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About The Paper

Synopsis
The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch in the Emmy Award-winning series “The Office” find a new subject when they discover a historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it.

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Do you think The Paper has the potential to grow into the next great mockumentary? Will Esmeralda’s character evolve into someone we root for instead of against? And does the grounded, slower burn work for you, or are you craving bigger laughs right away? Let me know in the comments or @me.

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