*Peacock’s new workplace comedy “The Paper” brings together an unlikely trio of accountants trying to keep a historic Midwestern newspaper afloat — and the actors behind them are having just as much fun as their characters. With a creative team led by “The Office” co-creator Greg Daniels and Michael Koman (Nathan for You), the series leans into chaos, satire, and a little newsroom dysfunction.
Oscar Nuñez, best known as the sharp-witted Oscar from ‘The Office’, admitted that stepping into another mockumentary workplace felt a little uncanny. “It was surreal for half a second, and then it was just the job at hand, knowing you’re in good hands,” Nuñez told EUR. “I don’t know how many times lightning can strike in the same place, but here we are. Have you seen the episodes? I’m very happy with the episodes. The performances are great — so much talent everywhere you look. I hope people give it a chance. Watch the whole thing once, and then watch it again, then make up your mind whether you want to commit to it or not.”
While Nuñez brings veteran experience, Alex Edelman leaned into the quirks of his character, ‘Adam Cooper.’
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“He’s a dad, and his brain is dad brain,” Edelman joked.
“He has 19 kids at home, and he’s bringing all his toys into the office. Bemi [Ikumelo], who he sits next to, knows she’s the smartest person in the room, and no one has ever accused Adam Cooper of being that. I thought it’d be fun to play him with a golden retriever energy — just happy to be there.”
That contrast plays perfectly against Gbemisola Ikumelo’s ‘Adelola Olofin’, who enters the newsroom with her own layered backstory — and a bold fashion sense.
Eldeman teased her iconic wardrobe.
“No one was more involved in their wardrobe than her,” he said.
Ikumelo explained that her styling choices weren’t accidental.
“I went through this stage of really wanting to subvert where we were going with the character,” she told EUR. “Instead of an overachiever, I wanted her a little burnt out — peaked at college, that kind of vibe. That informed the costumes. She’s effortlessly stylish, but not in a curated way. She just puts on the two things that are closest together, and they work. By the second day, we had switched from beige to these bold, clashing looks. The pink boots sealed it.”
Beyond wardrobe and workplace antics, the trio acknowledged that ‘The Paper’ doubles as a commentary on journalism in transition. Asked what they would do to save journalism, Ikumelo didn’t hold back:
“I’d kill social media. I’d say no more, we’re done with it.”
Edelman agreed, adding that too many non-reporters break news on platforms like Twitter. “You got it from a news site. You’re not a reporter, you’re on Twitter. It’s insane,” he said. For Nuñez, the answer was simpler: “Just more guts for reporters not to be afraid.”
With humor, cultural critique, and a newsroom on life support, The Paper aims to do more than parody office culture — it’s a love letter to local journalism, flaws and all.
Alongside Nuñez, Edelman, and Ikumelo, the ensemble includes Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina), Sabrina Impacciatore (The White Lotus), Chelsea Frei (Poker Face), Melvin Gregg (Snowfall), Ramona Young (Never Have I Ever), Tim Key (The Witchfinder), and guest stars like Tracy Letts and Molly Ephraim.
The Paper premieres September 4 with four episodes on Peacock, followed by two new episodes every Thursday through September 25.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. Follow her socials @StilettoJill or visit JillMunroe.com. Catch her live M-F on KBLA Talk 1580 from 6PM to 7PM.
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