Cast of The Paper: Full List of Main Characters and Guest Stars

Peacock’s The Paper faces the classic spin-off trade-off: honor a beloved universe without reliving it. The cast list — headlined by Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore alongside just one returning Dunder Mifflin alum — shows how the creators are navigating that balance.

Premiere Date: September 4, 2025 ·
Network: Peacock (NBCUniversal) ·
Main Cast: 8 series regulars ·
The Office Connection: Same universe; Oscar Nuñez reprises role ·
Lead Actor: Domhnall Gleeson as Ned Sampson

Here are the key facts about the series at a glance.

Is The Paper a sequel to The Office?

No — The Paper is not a direct sequel. It exists in the same fictional universe, but follows a completely new team at a different workplace. The documentary crew that once filmed Dunder Mifflin now documents a struggling newspaper. Peacock (official network) describes it as “set in The Office universe” but with an entirely fresh cast of characters.

How is The Paper related to The Office?

• Same documentary filmmaking style and mockumentary format
• The crew is the same one that followed the Scranton branch — confirmed in the trailer (Peacock trailer on YouTube (official channel))
• Only one returning character from The Office appears (Oscar Nuñez)

The implication: fans who want a direct continuation of the Dunder Mifflin story won’t find it here — but the spirit and tone carry over.

The pattern: let the new show breathe while keeping enough connective tissue for loyal viewers.

Is anyone from The Office in The Paper?

Yes — one familiar face returns. Oscar Nuñez reprises his role as Oscar Martinez, the former Dunder Mifflin accountant who now works at the newspaper. TVLine (entertainment news) broke the news in February 2025, describing his role as a “comedic bridge” between the two shows.

Which Office actors appear in The Paper?

• Oscar Nuñez – playing Oscar Martinez (TVLine (entertainment news))
• No other main Office stars have been announced as series regulars
• Steve Carell and John Krasinski visited the set but are not in the show (People (entertainment magazine))

What roles do they play?

Nuñez’s Oscar Martinez is the only confirmed returning character. According to TV Insider (TV guide & news), his role provides continuity for fans while the new characters take center stage.

The pattern: one alum plus a mostly unknown cast — a deliberate strategy to avoid overshadowing the newcomers.

Who are the main cast members of The Paper?

Eight actors have been announced as series regulars. Here’s the full breakdown of who is playing whom:

Eight actors, one clear strategy: mix established names (Gleeson, Impacciatore) with rising talent to create an ensemble that feels both fresh and bankable.

The pattern: mix established names with rising talent to create an ensemble that feels both fresh and bankable.

Who is the British guy in The Paper?

Two British actors are part of the core ensemble. The most-discussed is Tim Key, a British comedian known for This Country and Taskmaster. His role name hasn’t been announced yet. The other is Gbemisola Ikumelo, a British-Nigerian actress and writer who plays Adelola.

Tim Key plays a character in the series

According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), Key is listed among the principal cast, though his character details remain under wraps. His casting adds a distinctly British comedic sensibility to an otherwise American-driven show.

Other British cast members

Gbemisola Ikumelo, also British, brings a different flavor. She’s best known for her sketch show Brain in Gear. Together with Key, they give The Paper a transatlantic comedic range.

The catch: with two British regulars, the show may avoid the all-American homogeneity of the original Office cast — a sign that the creative team wants a more global feel.

Will Steve Carell appear in The Paper?

As of now, there is no confirmed appearance by Steve Carell in The Paper. People (entertainment magazine) reported that Carell and John Krasinski visited the set in early 2025 but “are not part of the series” as characters. That visit was widely covered as a show of support from the original stars, not a cameo.

Did Steve Carell and John Krasinski visit the set?

Yes — Variety and People both confirmed the visit. It generated speculation about a surprise cameo, but no official announcement has been made.

Are there any other celebrity cameos?

Oscar Nuñez is the only confirmed Office alumnus appearing on screen. TV Insider (TV guide & news) notes that additional cameos could be announced closer to release, but nothing has been confirmed.

The implication: fans hoping for a Michael Scott return should temper expectations — the show is clearly designed to move forward, not look back.

Timeline

• 2024 – Series announced; casting begins
• November 20, 2024 – Peacock introduces the cast via blog (Peacock (official network))
• February 27, 2025 – Oscar Nuñez’s return confirmed (TVLine (entertainment news))
• Early 2025 – Carell and Krasinski visit set (People (entertainment magazine))
• September 4, 2025 – Premiere on Peacock (Peacock trailer on YouTube (official channel))

Clarity check

Quotes

“Oscar Nuñez is the only confirmed Office alum set to reprise his role in The Paper.”

— TVLine (entertainment news)

“Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore are the headline additions to the spinoff cast, with Gleeson playing a character described as a ‘deadpan optimist.'”

— People (entertainment magazine)

For fans of The Office, the choice is clear: either embrace a new ensemble that honors the original without cloning it, or wait for another rewatch of the old show. Domhnall Gleeson’s deadpan optimist won’t replicate Michael Scott’s mania, but the shared documentary DNA could let The Paper build its own following.

Fans of The Office will recognize several familiar faces in the cast of The Paper, which brings together both returning stars and new characters for the Peacock spin-off.

Frequently asked questions