The Paper comes into its own in Season 2

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What’s black and white and read all over? Oh, OK. What’s black and white and hardly even read in its hometown?

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It’s the Toledo Truth Teller, the fictional community newspaper at the centre of The Office’s spinoff, The Paper. Led by optimistic if slightly delusional editor Ned (Domhnall Gleeson), the newspaper’s staff members are initially content to run prewritten stories from a national service.

But over the first 10 episodes, which launched in September 2025, they set their sights on credible local journalism — and succeeded. At the end of the season, compositor Mare (Chelsea Frei) won an Ohio Journalism Award for one of her stories. And, moving from professional to personal, she and Ned shared a long-awaited first kiss.

The Paper is back for its second season Sept. 9 on Showcase and StackTV, streaming in the U.S. on Peacock. Frei spoke with Postmedia about the onscreen romance, bursting into laughter while filming, and how the comedy has come into its own.

Q: In the lead-up to the show, there was a lot of hype and comparisons to The Office. How did things change after Season 1?

A: I think definitely there was relief after the first (season) came out. And just getting to see it and the different characters and (the actors) who make me laugh and everything — I think we definitely had a lot more fun this season.

Q: So who does make you laugh?

A: Oh my gosh, I’m a big breaker. I break when I’m laughing on set a lot, and it’s mainly Domhnall Gleeson who makes me laugh so hard and Eric Rahill. Eric Rahill plays Travis, and he just comes up with these one-liners that are so funny.

Q: At the end of Season 1, Mare and Ned kissed, which is earlier than I thought they would. For you, how did that progression in their relationship play?

A: We talked about it a lot, how fast we wanted their relationship to move. I mean, it’s a different time now, and there aren’t 22 episodes in each season with a slow burn. We just talked about the fact that it’s changed, and you want the audience to feel like they’ve gotten enough from the first season.

We talked about if it was too far or not, and we decided just to go for it. And I’m happy we did. I think it sets it apart from the “will they or won’t they” that was on The Office.

Q: Can you tease what’s to come in Season 2?

A: I mean, all I (can say) is that we finished Season 2, and I’ve never laughed that much on a set ever. Everybody is just so funny this season. I think the writers know the characters better. We know our characters better, so I’m seeing people really come into their own in a way that’s so fun. And I think there’ll be a lot more fun stories that they’re chasing down as journalists.

Q: Have you heard any feedback about how the show portrays community papers?

A: We’ve been so lucky to meet so many local journalists through this process, not only in research but now in doing press. And the thing that always makes me so happy is meeting somebody at a local newspaper and them saying how much the show is relatable and how real it is. They’re like, “No, it’s just how it is and for better or worse.”

But I think that’s one thing we really strived for — to present a very accurate depiction of it. And the thing I’ve realized just talking to all these people is to subscribe. Just subscribe to at least one local newspaper, even if you just get the email. They’re usually not that expensive, and they can keep them afloat if we all just do that.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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