TV and movie fans love a character that can steal a scene. Whether it’s a calculated opportunist like Robert Pattinson in Primetime or a career-defining turn like Kate O’Flynn in Widow’s Bay, it takes smart character work to make those moments great. That delicate relationship between script and performer is what made The Paper Season 1 feel just a level below its potential for me. In part, the use of one character, Esmeralda, felt a little misguided. The Paper Season 2 is a much stronger 10-episode run, largely because it reframes the Esmeralda character and showcases her actress’ tour-de-force performance.
Sabrina Impacciatore Steals The Paper Season 2 Spotlight in Major Changes to Esmeralda
In Season 1, one of the main plot points plaguing the Toledo Truth Teller is the change in power at the top of the newsroom’s pecking order. Esmeralda Grand, played by Emmy-nominated White Lotus star Sabrina Impacciatore, is demoted in favor of Ned Sampson, played by Domhnall Gleeson. Ned is as optimistic about the future of a small local paper as anyone can be. His optimism is simultaneously endearing and his biggest flaw. As the inaugural season plays out, a major throughline is Esmeralda’s attempts to sabotage Ned and win back management’s good graces. It’s not a bad story, but it leaves Esmeralda in a bind. If she gets her way, she’s thwarting the main character’s driving motivation in the show. If she fails, as she does repeatedly, we wonder how many more times we can watch her plans fall apart.
Thankfully, the writers of The Paper Season 2 don’t keep Esmeralda in a pseudo-villain role. Instead, they lean into something teased out during Season 1: Sabrina Impacciatore playing a crazy person makes for a damn good sitcom character. Between the accent, her physical comedy, and the hijinks the writers set her up for, it’s a slam dunk. There’s a tinge of Michael Scott in her; she’s unaware of how insane her ideas are and carries them out with a confidence nobody understands. Whether she’s dressing up as a teenager to investigate why her son is getting bad grades or attempting to date an old man for his money and hot caretaker, the train wreck that ensues is appointment television. Ironic, since NBC keeps The Paper on Peacock despite a haphazard attempt to bring the show to the network. Hopefully, that messy transition the first time around doesn’t stop them from
NBC Should Option The Paper Season 3 from Peacock To Network TV and Drive The Move with Esmeralda’s Chaos as its Focal Point
NBC began airing Season 1 on Monday nights starting November 10, 2025, following St. Denis Medical. Oddly, it ran weekly until its final three episodes aired back-to-back-to-back on January 3, 2026, a Saturday. The poor ratings weren’t shocking, seeing as fans had likely already seen it in its entirety on Peacock. Still, I can’t help but assume NBC executives saw this as a sign of the show’s overall performance. Sure, being The Office’s spinoff should be enough to market the show around, but that’s not always a successful strategy. With two seasons under its belt, I think there’s a stronger case for The Paper to sit in the NBC lineup next fall, thanks to the momentum the show has in Esmeralda’s well-written character.
A lovable loser like Ned or a sarcastic love interest like Mare Pritti, played by Chelsea Frei, isn’t dynamic enough to sell this show to the masses. Given how the writers evolved Esmerelda in The Paper Season 2, I think focusing the show’s draw on her outlandish antics is a great hook. Mix in a well-delivered will-they-won’t-they from Gleeson and Pritti, and you’ve got a show worthy of the network. Her chaos has enough captivation to give Sabrina Impacciatore room to serve in the Michael Scott role without being the boss or even the main narrative of The Paper. It’s a unique situation that could let this under-the-radar hit find real velocity if a third season is optioned.
The Paper Season 2 is now available on Peacock.
