Sabrina Impacciatore finds inspiration in Michael Scott as she joins The Office spin-off The Paper
Sabrina Impacciatore says her latest project drew more from the spirit of Michael Scott than she expected. In a cover interview, the Paper star revealed she hadn’t watched The Office until recently, and once she started, she couldn’t stop. “Me becoming addicted was almost an issue, because I couldn’t spend the day without watching a couple of episodes,” she joked.
Her admiration for Steve Carell runs deep. After Carell’s performance as the Dunder Mifflin boss, Impacciatore flew from Rome to New York to catch Carell on Broadway in Uncle Vanya. She recounts going to the green room, meeting him, and receiving a memorable blessing. “I’m Sabrina, can you bless me?” she said she asked. “He was the sweetest. He was encouraging. He said, ‘These people are brilliant. You are going to have the best experience of your life. You’re going to be great.’” The moment stuck with her as a source of confidence he offered.
Carell and his Office co-star John Krasinski also stopped by the Paper set to wish the cast luck on their first day of shooting, underscoring the ongoing camaraderie among the show’s alumni.
The Paper, announced in April 2024, is a spin-off focused on a Midwestern newspaper staff. Impacciatore joins Domhnall Gleeson in the lead, with Gleeson and Impacciatore portraying a newsroom you can expect to meet in the new series. The White Lotus alum plays Esmeralda Grand, the managing editor of the Toledo Truth Teller. The ensemble also includes Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, and Ramona Young, who shadow the Palisades Post staff to prepare for their roles, along with Office veteran Oscar Núñez.
Fans eager for a first look won’t have long to wait: Peacock has announced all 10 episodes will stream at once on Wednesday, Sept. 4, offering a binge-ready window into Impacciatore’s new character and the world of The Paper.
What this means for fans is a fresh entry into the Office universe that leans into a different newsroom dynamic while preserving the character-driven humor audiences loved. Impacciatore’s personal story of mentorship and encouragement from Carell adds a hopeful thread to the show’s upcoming launch, suggesting a welcoming pathway for newcomers and longtime Office fans alike.
In short, Impacciatore’s reflections on The Office icon translate into a promising kickoff for The Paper, as a new cast, a new town, and a new daily grind come to life on Peacock. The series is shaping up to celebrate workplace camaraderie, journalistic ambition, and the kind of optimistic energy that makes a spin-off feel both familiar and newly exciting.