Everything We Know About The Office Spinoff (That’s Mostly a New Show)

As a seasoned critic with over three decades of television viewing under my belt, I must say that the news of a new sitcom spinning off from the iconic “The Office” has left me both intrigued and slightly skeptical. On one hand, I’ve grown fond of the original series and its quirky characters, so the prospect of delving into another slice of the Dunder Mifflin universe is enticing. On the other hand, as a child of the ’80s, I’ve seen far too many attempts at reviving classic shows that ultimately fall flat.


Wow, it’s actually happening! Let’s all remain composed. It was inevitable that, given how many modern sitcoms seem reminiscent of old ones, The Office, having been an American adaptation of a successful British sitcom with the same name, would be revisited. After all, why not expand the franchise? That seems to be Peacock’s plan. This new version bears little resemblance to the original show and even less to the U.K. version of The Office. From the expanded cast to the new setting to the changed stakes, it appears to be a largely separate sitcom. So, what can we expect from this mostly fresh take on the office-themed comedy?

How is this connected to The Office?

The show shares a slim link to the classic sitcom as it’s filmed by the documentary team who were previously following Scranton’s Dunder Mifflin branch. Co-created by original “The Office” (U.S.) mastermind Greg Daniels and Nathan for You’s Michael Koman, this production is not a reboot but more like The Mandalorian within the Star Wars universe, according to Daniels. He explained to The Wrap that it could be seen as a documentary crew exploring a new subject, which he thinks could be fascinating and innovative. However, he’s unsure about what exactly one would call this concept. To us, it seems like a spinoff!

What’s this thing about?

Instead of depicting the daily routines of office employees (a challenging task given the current hybrid work arrangements), this upcoming series will instead delve into the efforts of publishers as they strive to resurrect a “struggling historical Midwestern newspaper.” Indeed, it’s all about the printed word!

Who’s in it?

The actors Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, and Ramona Young have recently been announced as new cast members for the upcoming production. This was reported by the Palisadian-Post, a California newspaper, who mentioned that the trio spent time with the newspaper’s staff to prepare for their roles. In addition to these domestic hires, the story about a struggling midwestern newspaper will also incorporate some international talent. We already know that Sabrina Impacciatore from “The White Lotus” and Domhnall Gleeson from “Run” are among the international cast members. As of now, further details remain scarce. Could we possibly see appearances from past actors in adorable cameos? Jenna Fischer told People she hasn’t been contacted yet. Let’s hope they consider bringing back Creed!

How can I watch?

The as-yet-unnamed sitcom, originally from NBC, was acquired by Peacock on May 8th. As stated by Lisa Katz, President of NBCUniversal Entertainment, this comedy series, which follows a decade after the final episode of “The Office” aired on NBC, is experiencing renewed interest and creating new waves of fans on Peacock. In collaboration with Universal Television and spearheaded by Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, this upcoming series, set within the Dunder Mifflin universe, features a fresh cast in a new setting – a daily newspaper, brimming with potential for humor-filled storytelling. No specific dates have been announced yet regarding production or release. Fingers crossed that the forthcoming spinoff will maintain one key similarity to its predecessor: 24-episode seasons.

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2024-09-11 06:53