The Office fans just noticed a surprising casting continuity error when The Paper spinoff reused the same actor in a different role.
Viewers pointed out the mistake via Instagram in response to a clip from Peacock’s new show. “No one pointed out that the main boss of The Paper is the same guy that plays Esther’s dad from season 9,” read a comment. “Good job.”
Other social media users defended the decision, with one person responding, “Bruh, they changed Pam’s parents like 3 times [on The Office], it ain’t that deep.”
The Paper, which premiered on Thursday, September 4, connected the two shows by having the same camera crew returning to check in on Dunder Mifflin. The paper company was gone after being acquired, so instead the documentary shifted focus to the Toledo Truth-Teller — a Midwestern newspaper on its last legs until an overzealous cardboard salesman turned editor in chief (a.k.a Domhnall Gleeson‘s Ned) stepped in.
The rest of the cast was made up of Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, Tim Key and The Office alum Oscar Nuñez. Viewers were correct, though, that Allan Havey, who played Marv Puttman in The Paper, was Mr. Bruegger in The Office.
While there were onscreen nods to The Office, creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman recently told Us Weekly that they weren’t looking to bring every OG back. Daniels noted that fan favorites Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) and Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) moved to Austin, Texas, which would create a problem when it came to explaining why they were in the Midwest.
“I’m not exactly sure why [the documentary crew] would feel the need to call them up and transport them to Toledo or something,” Daniels said, while Koman added, “I certainly would say for this season, really, our focus was on these new characters and their stories. The future is the future.”
The Paper stars, meanwhile, had some ideas of who could pop in if they got their wish. (Peacock renewed The Paper for season 2 one day before its premiere.)
“I think bringing anybody back, the fans would love it. It’s hard to say … I think I want to go with Paul Lieberstein again as Toby, just because he comes from HR. He’s a funny character, and I feel like there’s a lot of HR things that need HR attention in regard to this show in this workplace. I think that will be funny,” Gregg, 36, told Us, while Young, 27, suggested, “I’ll say Meredith. That’ll be a fun one.”
The Paper season 1 is streaming now on Peacock.
