New 'The Office' Series Picked Up at Peacock, First Plot Details Reveal Midwestern Newspaper Setting

[FakeNoose]

Variety link: https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/the-office-spinoff-peacock-plot-details-1235996108/

The new iteration of “The Office” has been picked up to series at Peacock, Variety has learned.

As has been previously reported, the show is not a reboot or spinoff of “The Office,” but rather a new mockumentary show with a new cast set in the same universe. For the first time since the show was first revealed to be in the works in late 2023, plot details are now available. The official logline states:

“The documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch is in search of a new subject when they discover a dying historic Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it with volunteer reporters.”

It was also previously reported that Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore will lead the new ensemble cast, though exact character details remain under wraps. Production is scheduled to begin in July.

“It’s been more than ten years since the final episode of ‘The Office’ aired on NBC, and the acclaimed comedy series continues to gain popularity and build new generations of fans on Peacock,” said Lisa Katz, president of scripted content for NBCU Entertainment. “In partnership with Universal Television and led by the creative team of Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, this new series set in the universe of Dunder Mifflin introduces a new cast of characters in a fresh setting ripe for comedic storytelling: a daily newspaper.”

- more at link -

I plan to give this new show a chance. I hope it does well.

[Shermann]

1. Could be interesting. The original went on a bit long at 9 seasons.

It sort of lost me at the end with James Spader, but it had a great run.

Silicon Valley was much better, I wish they'd reboot that one.

[JoseBalow]

2. That wasn't the original series

The show started as two six-episode series that ran on BBC.

[Xavier Breath]

3. Yeah, the last couple seasons of the original were mostly forgettable.

Kathy Bates stood out and was a nice edition, but James Spader and Catherine Tate were almost painful to watch. For all intents and purposes, the show ceased being the show as we knew it when Carell left. It should have ended then with seven seasons in the books, which was plenty.

[Shermann]

5. Seven seasons is the magic number for a great show to bow out after

There are a few others I can think of which overstayed their welcome as well (*cough* Walking Dead! *cough*)

[Xavier Breath]

7. I never watched Walking Dead but I certainly agree with the sentiment.

M*A*S*H and The Big Bang Theory immediately leap to mind. The Mary Tyler Moore Show did it right by exiting after seven seasons. More shows need to follow the old show business axiom: always leave them wanting more.

[Shermann]

8. Star Trek TNG had seven seasons

Breaking Bad went out at five, ending one of the greatest seasons of all times. They could have milked it for a few more but did it right.

[FakeNoose]

4. I lo-o-oved Silicon Valley! But I'm not sure a reboot would ever be possible

The original stars have all moved on of course. The stories were so funny but they'd all be dated if someone tried to bring it back now. It's like trying to reboot "Friends" or "Seinfeld."

[Shermann]

6. Well by reboot I mean an all-new cast, but with fresh new stories.

The basic formula is comedy gold and can be updated for the times. You need your core cast of frenemy nerds who are struggling to make ends meet in the incubator. The eccentric, unpredictable billionaires pulling the strings will show up from time to time. Some will hit paydirt and make millions, others will fall on hard times. It's quite different from your standard office setting humor.

[bif]

9. What's the point?