Just before the premiere of NBC’s new series The Paper on September 4, original The Office stars Steve Carell and John Krasinski made an unannounced visit to the spin-off’s set, delighting the cast. Carell and Krasinski, famed for their roles as Michael Scott and Jim Halpert, showed genuine support and encouragement to the new team, helping ease their nerves about following such an iconic show. This memorable visit left a lasting impression on the cast, reinforcing the connection across both series.
Cast Members Reflect on Meeting Carell and Krasinski
Chelsea Frei, who portrays Mare, recalled the moment she first saw the two stars, saying,
“One of the first days on set, we were in the hair and makeup trailer and—I think I had eye patches on—and John Krasinski and Steve Carell walked in, looking phenomenal,”
adding, “They were so sweet.” Both Frei and Sabrina Impacciatore, who plays Esmerelda, were overwhelmed by the genuineness of Carell and Krasinski, finding their presence both reassuring and inspiring.
Frei also shared how the originals helped alleviate the pressure felt by the spin-off cast.
“We were saying how nervous we were to be coming on the footsteps of their iconic show,”
she said,
“and they were telling us how they kind of experienced the same thing with the UK Office and just to see it as its own thing.”
The support continued beyond this meeting, with Chelsea noting,
“Everyone I’ve met from the original The Office has been so insanely supportive.”
Impacciatore expressed how significant it was to meet Carell, citing her longtime admiration for the actor.
“To meet Steve Carell was a blessing,”
she said, recalling a previous trip from Italy to see him perform on Broadway.
“I will never forget that. This is a moment I will cherish in my life forever.”
Advice from Carell and Krasinski: Embrace the Experience
During her encounter with Carell, Sabrina received heartfelt guidance. The veteran actor encouraged her to enjoy working on the series, especially under creator Greg Daniels. As Sabrina recounted,
“He suggested just to, ‘let it go’ and this is actually what we did.”
This advice helped the cast relax and focus on their performances rather than the weight of succeeding a beloved show.
Domhnall Gleeson, who plays Ned Sampson, Steve Carell’s character’s foil in The Paper, also reflected on past conversations with Carell and Krasinski. Before joining The Paper, Domhnall worked with them on other projects and heard their praise for Greg Daniels.
“They were just like, ‘He is the best. If you get a chance to work with him, do it,’”
Domhnall told E! News.
“They said, ‘You’ll have some fun,’ and they were right about that.”
Background on Steve Carell‘s Career Since The Office
Steve Carell, after becoming a household name as Michael Scott, has established himself as a versatile and highly sought-after actor. He returned to television with a lead role in Apple TV+’s The Morning Show alongside Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, earning an Emmy nomination for his performance. Carell also starred in and executive produced Netflix’s Space Force and The Patient.
In film, Carell has gravitated toward dramatic roles in movies like Beautiful Boy, The Big Short, Battles of the Sexes, Welcome to Marwen, and Vice, the last of which garnered him an Oscar nomination for his portrayal in Foxcatcher. Despite this dramatic focus, he remains beloved for his comedic work in Crazy, Stupid, Love; Anchorman; The 40-Year-Old Virgin; and Little Miss Sunshine. Additionally, Carell voices Gru in the popular Despicable Me film series. He is married to Nancy Carell, and they have two children, Elisabeth and John.
John Krasinski‘s Career Trajectory Post-The Office
John Krasinski has successfully transitioned from The Office’s Jim Halpert to a multi-talented filmmaker and actor. He directed and starred in the hit horror film A Quiet Place in 2018, followed by its 2020 sequel and the 2024 prequel A Quiet Place: Day One. Krasinski also wrote and directed the 2024 movie IF.
On television, Krasinski took on the lead role of Jack Ryan in the Amazon Prime series. His production company executive produced projects such as Lip Sync Battle and the critically acclaimed Manchester By the Sea. Krasinski and wife Emily Blunt, whom he married in 2008 at George Clooney’s Lake Como estate, have two daughters: Hazel and Violet. The couple is known among Hollywood’s elite, sharing close friendships with the Clooneys, Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel, Blake Lively, and Ryan Reynolds.
Updates on Other Notable The Office Cast Members
Jenna Fischer, who portrayed Pam Beesly, starred in the ABC sitcom Splitting Up Together and appeared in several films including Blades of Glory and The 15:17 to Paris. She co-hosts the popular podcast Office Ladies with Angela Kinsey, discussing their experiences on The Office. In 2023, Fischer announced she had successfully overcome Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer following treatment. She and her husband, screenwriter Lee Kirk, have two children.
Mindy Kaling has become a prominent writer and actress, known for creating The Mindy Project and other series like Champions and The Sex Lives of College Girls. Her voice work includes characters in Inside Out and Velma. Kaling has three children and maintains a close friendship with B.J. Novak.
Ed Helms embraced film and television roles, featuring in the Hangover franchise, hosting True Story, and providing voice acting in projects such as Captain Underpants. He is married to Celeste Ackelson, with whom he has a daughter.
Rainn Wilson pursued a range of roles, including starring in Backstrom and guest appearances on Star Trek: Discovery and Lessons in Chemistry. His creative ventures extend beyond acting into podcasting and music.
B.J. Novak expanded his career as an actor, writer, and author, appearing in series like The Mindy Project and publishing best-selling books. He remains close with Mindy Kaling and recently appeared in notable TV dramas.
Ellie Kemper is best known for starring in the Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and for roles in Bridesmaids and Home Sweet Home Alone. She also writes and voices characters in animated works. She and husband Michael Koman have two children.
Zach Woods has acted in various films including The Post, and TV series like Silicon Valley. He co-created and starred in the animated series In The Know.
Paul Lieberstein, who played Toby and was also a showrunner for The Office, worked on projects such as Ghosted and HBO’s The Newsroom. He directed the film Song of Back and Neck and married Janine Poreba in 2008.
Oscar Nunez continued acting in series like Mr. Iglesias and films including The Proposal and The Lost City. He provides voices for animated children’s programming and will reprise his role in an upcoming show set in The Office universe. Nunez is married to Ursula Whittaker, with a son named August.
Brian Baumgartner, famous for playing Kevin and his iconic chili, has taken roles in TV shows like Suits: L.A. and Life in Pieces. He co-hosts a popular podcast, Off the Beat, and is married to Celeste Ackelson, with whom he has a daughter.
Kate Flannery pursued work in television and voice acting with appearances in Night Court and Steven Universe. She performed on Dancing With the Stars in 2019 and continues to tour with her musical comedy duo.
Angela Kinsey, who played Angela Martin, appeared in TV shows like Tall Girl and Never Have I Ever and co-hosts the Office Ladies podcast with Jenna Fischer. She remarried in 2016 and shares a daughter with ex-husband Warren Lieberstein.
Leslie David Baker maintained a steady acting career with roles in The Happytime Murders and Raven’s Home, additionally providing voices in animated series such as Puppy Dog Pals.
Craig Robinson pursued acting in films like Sausage Party and Dolemite Is My Name, along with TV roles on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Mr. Robot. His voice work includes appearances on American Dad! and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
Phyllis Smith lent her voice to the character of Sadness in the Inside Out franchise and acted in projects such as The OA and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar.
Creed Bratton has continued acting and releasing music, touring globally with a comedy and music show. His film credits include The Sisters Brothers and Hero Mode.
Anticipation Builds for The Paper’s Premiere on Peacock
The Paper, a spin-off rooted in the universe created by Greg Daniels, generates significant excitement ahead of its full ten-episode launch on Peacock scheduled for September 4. The series benefits from the legacy and guidance of The Office’s original stars, adding credibility and warmth to this new chapter. As the cast embraces their roles and receives encouragement from some of the industry’s most beloved talent, fans can anticipate a fresh yet familiar comedic experience. This visit from Steve Carell and John Krasinski not only strengthens the connection between the two shows but also sets a hopeful tone for The Paper’s success.
