The article discusses the second season of the TV series "The Paper," a spinoff from "The Office" that centers around a fictional community newspaper in Toledo. In its first season, which launched in September 2025, the show's characters transitioned from running prewritten stories to pursuing credible local journalism; this shift is highlighted by compositor Mare winning an Ohio Journalism Award and her onscreen relationship with editor Ned evolving. Season two premieres on Sept. 9, and actor Chelsea Frei speaks about the improved dynamic among cast members, the accelerated romantic storyline between her character and Ned, and how the show's humor has become more refined.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-14,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
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which → buy → work
What’s black and white and read all over?
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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.
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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.
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members → lead → service
But over the first 10 episodes, which launched in September 2025, they set their sights on credible local journalism — and succeeded.
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they → launch → journalism
At the end of the season, compositor Mare (Chelsea Frei) won an Ohio Journalism Award for one of her stories.
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Mare → win → stories
And, moving from professional to personal, she and Ned shared a long-awaited first kiss.
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she → move → kiss
The Paper is back for its second season Sept. 9 on Showcase and StackTV, streaming in the U.S. on Peacock.
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Paper → stream → Peacock
Frei spoke with Postmedia about the onscreen romance, bursting into laughter while filming, and how the comedy has come into its own.
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comedy → speak → own
How did things change after Season 1?
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things → change → Season
I think definitely there was relief after the first (season) came out.
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season → think → ?
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.
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we → get → fun
So who does make you laugh?
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you → make → ?
A: Oh my gosh, I’m a big breaker.
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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.
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me → break → set
Eric Rahill plays Travis, and he just comes up with these one-liners that are so funny.
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that → play → liners
At the end of Season 1, Mare and Ned kissed, which is earlier than I thought they would.
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they → kiss → Season
For you, how did that progression in their relationship play?
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progression → play → relationship
We talked about it a lot, how fast we wanted their relationship to move.
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relationship → talk → it
I mean, it’s a different time now, and there aren’t 22 episodes in each season with a slow burn.
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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.
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they → talk → season
We talked about if it was too far or not, and we decided just to go for it.
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And I’m happy we did.
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I think it sets it apart from the “will they or won’t they” that was on The Office.
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Can you tease what’s to come in Season 2?
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A: I mean, all I (can say) is that we finished Season 2, and I’ve never laughed that much on a set ever.
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I think the writers know the characters better.
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writers → think → characters
We know our characters better, so I’m seeing people really come into their own in a way that’s so fun.
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that → know → way
And I think there’ll be a lot more fun stories that they’re chasing down as journalists.
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they → think → journalists
Have you heard any feedback about how the show portrays community papers?
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show → hear → papers
We’ve been so lucky to meet so many local journalists through this process, not only in research but now in doing press.
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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.
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it → make → newspaper
They’re like, “No, it’s just how it is and for better or worse.
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But I think that’s one thing we really strived for — to present a very accurate depiction of it.
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And the thing I’ve realized just talking to all these people is to subscribe.
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Just subscribe to at least one local newspaper, even if you just get the email.
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you → subscribe → email
They’re usually not that expensive, and they can keep them afloat if we all just do that.
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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interview → edit → length
