Domhnall Gleeson isn’t Superman. But in ‘The Office’ spinoff ‘The Paper,’ he can be Clark Kent

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Could Domhnall Gleeson be the savior of local journalism?

To be honest, what he’s saying might seem like a dramatic exaggeration at first glance. Yet, I can see the logic behind it – his recent character understands that captivating headlines are crucial for grabbing reader attention swiftly. After all, we’re all striving to make an impact in this fast-paced world of information overload.

The 42-year-old actor from Ireland has established a notable and multifaceted career, frequently portraying characters embroiled in complex predicaments. For instance, he played a man capable of time travel who attempts to alter his past for a brighter future in the emotional and fantastical movie “About Time.” Additionally, he starred as the leader of a team of trappers in the wilderness of the Midwest who found himself embroiled in a brutal struggle for survival in “The Revenant.” Lastly, he was cast as a programmer chosen to participate in an experiment involving a female robot with human-like characteristics in “Ex Machina.

Currently, he’s diving headfirst into the chaotic, yet humorously frustrating world of working for a newspaper.

In Peacock’s “The Paper,” Gleeson portrays Ned Sampson, a diligent, good-hearted, and optimistic character who has been appointed as the editor-in-chief of the Toledo Truth Teller. His credentials? He once worked in sales for cardboard and toilet paper, and he’s a nepotism beneficiary with a degree in journalism. Despite his unconventional background, he comes armed with noble ambitions: to rejuvenate a demoralized team whose enthusiasm for their work has waned, primarily due to the distasteful obligations of the profession such as choosing a wire story about Elizabeth Olsen’s nightly skincare routine, only to find out it surpasses the available print space. His ultimate goal is to reignite or even ignite in some cases, their commitment to delivering reliable local journalism that offers practical and impactful information to the community.

In the first episode, Ned expresses, “As a child, I didn’t aspire to be Superman; instead, I wanted to emulate Clark Kent. To me, Clark is the true superhero. He’s making a difference in the world, not through extraordinary powers but by working at a newspaper. And that, to me, represents something noble and achievable – which I admire greatly.

In a depiction from “The Paper”, Domhnall Gleeson plays Ned, a fresh editor-in-chief for The Toledo Truth Teller, and Tim Key portrays Ken, an aloof corporate manager hailing from Enervate, the paper’s proprietor (as captured by Aaron Epstein on Peacock).

Sabrina Impacciatore portrayed the character of Esmeralda, who could be considered a foe or rival to Ned, played by Gleeson. (Photography by John P. Fleenor for Peacock)

In a simpler and more natural way of phrasing, the statement could be: This romantic (some might call it naive) idea hasn’t lost its spark despite being dimmed by cynicism. As someone working in an industry that is tightly restricted by budgets and profits, Gleeson understands the desire to perform meaningful work, even when economic forces try to overshadow it.

On a recent day, Gleeson remarks that the initial experience of trying something new is filled with immense wonder. At first, only the positive aspects are noticeable – at least for me. However, as time passes and you grow older, it becomes slightly more challenging to rise early. The profession I’m in often leaves me awestruck by the people, who despite being my senior, continue to display an infectious enthusiasm for their work. This trait is inspiring and serves as a reminder that one can maintain a youthful passion for their craft well into their 50s, 60s, even 70s, defying some common stereotypes associated with acting – and journalism.

In simpler terms, “The Paper” is a comedy series that shares some similarities with “The Office,” but they are not directly related. Despite this, it tackles contemporary issues in its humor. To clarify, both shows share a mockumentary style, and they depict the everyday lives of employees – in “The Office,” it’s the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin paper company, while in “The Paper,” it’s a struggling newsroom. A former character from Dunder Mifflin, Oscar Martinez, played by Oscar Núñez, now works as an accountant at the newspaper to link the two shows.

In an interview, Gleeson shared that playing his character Ned in the mockumentary style of “The Office” added a special depth to his understanding: “I wondered about how Ned would feel being in this new boss role and trying to excel. It made me consider… he’d want positive moments caught on tape. If he does something well, he’d likely ensure it was recorded. And if things aren’t going smoothly, he’d try to keep a low profile. During filming, I noticed myself frequently checking in with the camera operators, as if seeking their approval – like ‘What did you think?’

Gleeson is joining us from Scotland, where he’s been for the past month shooting an unspecified independent movie. He promptly expresses his apologies about his hairdo – with its messy, slightly wavy style – as he runs his fingers through it: “I’ve got a permanent wave. Life is great.

He didn’t have a strong desire to start a TV series at the moment, but as soon as “The Paper” presented itself, he became excited about exploring its humorous aspects.

Initially, he reached out to at least two key actors from “The Office,” specifically Steve Carell and John Krasinski, before moving forward. In the 2022 psychological thriller “The Patient” on FX, Carell, who portrayed the show’s goofy boss Michael Scott for seven seasons, teamed up with Gleeson as a disturbed individual with murderous intentions, while the therapist character was played by Carell himself. On the other hand, Krasinski, who gained fame as the smart-mouthed paper salesman Jim Halpert in “The Office,” collaborated with Gleeson in Guy Ritchie’s 2022 heist action-adventure film, “Fountain of Youth.

He remarks, “Both of them were exceptional because they didn’t dictate what to do; instead, they expressed encouragement in a way that felt genuine and inspiring. They suggested that I would enjoy the experience and might excel, and those words prompted me to take action.

He mentions: “Additionally, remember that when they presented the series, they were under close observation since the British ‘Office’ was an exceptional masterpiece and highly acclaimed. Yet, they managed to find their unique niche in time. I can only hope for us, too, that we discover our distinctive spot as well.

Even though fans of the popular American TV show “The Office,” which aired for nine seasons and remains one of the most-watched series currently streaming, might be hesitant to watch “The Paper.” And for those who do decide to give it a try, they may find themselves drawing comparisons or wondering if the new characters align with the original archetypes – for instance, is Ned more like Michael or Jim?

He expresses that what we possess seems distinct enough to stand alone in its identity. “I think Ned is unique compared to the other characters,” he explains. “He’s a new leader who may not be entirely qualified for the job, but he has an unusual blend of ambition and optimism that sets him apart. While there will certainly be similarities, I hope people will appreciate him based on his own qualities.

As a movie critic, I found myself immersed in the gripping new series, co-created by none other than Greg Daniels, who masterfully crafted the American adaptation of “The Office,” and Michael Koman, the genius behind shows like “How to With John Wilson” and “Nathan for You.” This captivating production emerges at a time when the world of journalism is facing intense challenges. Every week brings another grim headline about news organizations struggling due to swift economic, technological, cultural, and political changes. The show presents an unflinching portrayal of these challenging times in the industry.

In his words, the comedy aspect is crucial for the show’s success. He also notes that the press has historically faced threats, as there are often those in authority who dislike unfavorable portrayals. However, he finds the current situation to be particularly intense and extreme.

Despite holding a strong regard for journalism and journalists, they strive to create humor without crossing the line into excessive satire or negativity. How might one accomplish this?

According to Gleeson, the show presents both aspects – the noble ideals and the struggles to meet those ideals. If the series only depicted perfect journalism, he wonders if it would be as amusing. Instead, what makes it funny is when characters strive for good journalism but don’t always succeed in living up to that standard.

In the hit show “The Office”, actors John Krasinski portrays Jim Halpert and Jenna Fischer embodies his on-screen spouse Pam Halpert. Their relationship, marked by a will-they, won’t-they tension, was a key element throughout the series (Byron Cohen / NBC)

Steve Carell, known for his portrayal of the clumsy boss, Michael Scott, along with the rest of the cast. (Photo by Justin Lubin / NBC Universal)

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say that Daniels and Koman shared insights during a call about how “The Office” portrayed a group of individuals stuck in their mundane jobs, but “The Paper” highlights the transformative power of inspiration within a workplace. The secret lies in identifying an individual with integrity who could not only lead a seemingly dreary project but also uplift spirits and ignite passion among the team.

Koman praises Gleeson’s performance in “Black Mirror” by comparing him to Jimmy Stewart, saying he possesses both humor and a deep humanity. He was astonished by Gleeson’s ability to play two distinct characters with subtle differences, even if they were portraying the same person. Koman admires Gleeson’s talent so much that he believes he can take on any role.

Not only does Gleeson possess a knack for comedy, but he’s also someone who can blend humor with emotional depth, according to Koman. As for Daniels, he expresses enthusiasm about potentially working with an actor of such caliber.

In a previous job, many considered it trendy, but it was plagued with dysfunction. I often joked that working at a place like Enterprise Rent-A-Car would’ve been more enjoyable if the management was lively and the atmosphere was positive. Ideally, we needed a leader who was both charismatic and sincere, with a clear sense of purpose. The challenge is immense – it seems nearly impossible for anyone to rewind time and revitalize this prestigious establishment. Yet, he’s making an effort, and that counts for something. When he speaks about wanting to be Clark Kent – that was one of his [Gleeson’s] character traits; he incorporated this idea when developing the persona.

Because Gleeson is nothing if not intentional about comedy.

Domhnall Gleeson, son of actor Brendan Gleeson, recounts himself as a reserved child during his upbringing; however, witnessing individuals who weren’t shy enough to make him chuckle heartily, even to the point of embarrassment, was a sensation he yearned for. He fondly remembers comedians like Peter Sellers and Jim Carrey, as well as British comedy series such as “Smack the Pony” and everything related to “Monty Python.” His debut acting role was in Martin McDonagh’s anarchic black comedy, “The Lieutenant of Inishmore,” a story centered around a mutilated cat. At the age of 20, he wrote and starred in the Irish sketch comedy show “Your Bad Self” – one skit that stands out is where a group of friends are heading to a concert, and Gleeson in the backseat, having consumed too much lemonade, believes he only needs to relieve himself. A friend offers him a soda bottle mid-journey, leading to him lowering his trousers and squatting over it.

During an interview before starting on “The Paper”, Domhnall Gleeson expressed that working with younger journalists reminded him of how eager and energetic young people are to get involved. He found this enthusiasm, even in challenging circumstances, to be quite appealing. (Paraphrased by Mistral AI)

Jim Carrey isn’t a one-of-a-kind improvisation prodigy, he clarifies. Instead, he admires the unique blend of comedy and pathos displayed by actors like Gene Hackman and Anjelica Huston in movies such as ‘The Royal Tenenbaums.’ This type of acting that’s both humorous and deeply emotional is what drew him to the craft.

He consistently injects a mix of emotion, originality, and boldness into the comedic roles he’s played throughout his career, such as in the 2013 movie “About Time,” HBO’s series “Run” and Amazon Prime Video’s “Frank of Ireland,” which he co-created and acted alongside his brother Brian. He maintains this same eagerness for uncovering truth when working on “The Paper.” While he didn’t delve deep into the world of journalism by shadowing professionals before filming, he did engage in some hands-on reporting – speaking with and observing young journalists in Cincinnati and Toledo, and visiting a college newspaper in Ohio.

From my recent encounter, I learned that many young individuals are choosing journalism as their career path. This discovery brought me immense joy, even though I understand that journalism today is more challenging to succeed in compared to the past. It’s tougher to establish a career, maintain longevity, and earn a living within this field than it once was. However, despite these obstacles, there continues to be an interest in journalism among the younger generation, driven by their passion for the work – and this resilience, amidst adversity, I find incredibly inspiring.

We’re sure Clark Kent would agree.

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2025-08-21 13:33