Sabrina Impacciatore is at the forefront of “The Paper”, the much-anticipated spinoff from the beloved series The Office.
Following its successful debut on Peacock back in September, The Paper is gearing up to launch a robust campaigns for accolades, including the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards, and Critics Choice Awards, with an eye on the Primetime Emmys in the upcoming year.
Emmy nominee Sabrina Impacciatore, who shines in her role as Esmeralda Grand—the bold and comical managing editor of the Toledo Truth Teller—will be vying for awards recognition in the lead actress comedy categories at both the upcoming fall ceremonies and the 2026 Emmys, as exclusively revealed to Variety.
Created by the esteemed Greg Daniels and Michael Koman, The Paper centers around the same documentary crew that previously shadowed the employees of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton, Pennsylvania branch two decades ago. This time, they capture the efforts of the Toledo Truth Teller, a legacy newspaper grappling with modernization as it enlists volunteer reporters to reclaim its former glory.
Alongside Impacciatore, the ensemble cast includes Domhnall Gleeson, Chelsea Frei, Melvin Gregg, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Alex Edelman, Ramona Young, Tim Key, and Oscar Nunez, an original cast member of The Office. Just a day before the entire season dropped on Peacock, the series was renewed for a second season.
Impacciatore provided some of the most memorable comedic moments throughout the first season. Initially introduced as the show’s “villain”—especially when her character Esmeralda maliciously cancels the newspaper’s wire service—she proves to be a character of depth, garnering viewer empathy through her comedic misadventures and unexpected vulnerabilities. Notable episodes include “Scam Alert,” where she hilariously finds herself in a catfishing scheme with a man pretending to be Lost star Josh Holloway. The outrageous season finale at “The Ohio Journalism Awards” further solidified her memorable moments, as she commandeers various acceptance speeches and even stages her own version of the In Memoriam tribute. An array of potential Emmy submission moments can be drawn from her performance.
If Impacciatore wins the Emmy for lead actress in a comedy, she would break a long-standing streak, becoming the first from the NBCUniversal family to achieve this honor since Tina Fey’s win for 30 Rock in 2008. Notably, Peacock has only witnessed a single nomination in this category to date: Natasha Lyonne for Poker Face in 2023.
Early predictions show The Paper is poised to receive multiple nominations during this award season. The Golden Globes have a history of celebrating fresh comedy series—such as the 2014 win for Brooklyn Nine-Nine, placing The Paper in a favorable spotlight for potential recognition. Additionally, it has been earmarked as a strong contender for a comedy ensemble nomination at the SAG Awards, potentially earning Peacock its inaugural nomination for outstanding comedy series at the Emmys next year.
Born in Rome, Impacciatore’s eclectic career includes pivotal roles, such as Seraphia in Mel Gibson’s 2004 epic The Passion of the Christ, alongside numerous projects in Italian cinema and television. Her breakout role came with her acclaimed portrayal of Valentina—the strict yet lovable hotel manager—in the second season of Mike White’s acclaimed anthology series, The White Lotus, for which she earned an Emmy nomination for supporting actress in a drama series.
Looking ahead, Impacciatore is set to star in Julian Schnabel’s In the Hand of Dante, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August. She is also set to appear in an upcoming R-rated comedy directed by David Wain, known for Wet Hot American Summer, alongside stars Jon Hamm, Zoey Deutch, and John Slattery.
All episodes of The Paper are currently streaming on Peacock.
