The Office’s Jan Actress Is Down To Return For The Paper (And I Love The Idea She Has)

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Fans who are rewatching The Office on Peacock and hoping to see more familiar characters in The Paper Season 2 (expected in 2026) aren’t the only ones! Melora Hardin, who famously played Jan Levinson, has a great idea for bringing her character back and is eager to reprise the role if given the chance.

Melora Hardin discussed with Entertainment Weekly whether she might play Jan Levinson again, while also reminiscing about her years working with Greg Daniels, the creator of The Office and the show’s spin-off, The Paper. When asked if she’d be interested in returning to the role, the actress immediately said yes.

Seriously, I’d absolutely return if asked. I’m a huge fan of Greg Daniels – he’s a master of both television and comedy, and we often brainstorm ideas like, ‘What’s Jan up to these days?’

The initial idea developed into a concrete proposal that cleverly builds on the enduring question of who was filming The Office. The Paper, which follows the same documentary team as they film a struggling newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, already acknowledges the camera’s presence more openly than The Office did. Hardin envisioned Jan fitting into this format in a way that feels both new and consistent with her character.

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The new show will center around Oscar Martinez, played by Oscar Nuñez, a character fans already know and like. The creator, Jenna Hardin, was particularly drawn to Oscar’s tendency to wonder about the team’s actions and reasons, and believes Jan Levinson-Gould can amplify that existing dynamic, creating more conflict and intrigue.

I thought it would be interesting to have a moment, similar to an Oscar acceptance speech, where the focus shifts to Jan. I suggested to Greg and Suzanne that if Jan directed, we could occasionally have the camera turn to show her reaction, like she’s addressing the audience.

It’s a clever and inspired idea. For years, The Office hinted at the documentary crew, but never showed them directly. Making Jan Levinson, a character very concerned with control and how she appears, the leader of this new documentary feels like a logical next step for her story. It also allows The Paper to feel connected to the original series without constantly using guest appearances or relying on familiar memories.

Currently, Rainn Wilson (who played Dwight in The Office) is the only main cast member to appear in the new show, The Paper. However, the spinoff has hinted at potential updates for other beloved characters. Angela Kinsey has expressed her willingness to reprise her role, saying she would gladly return if a good story idea came along.

I’m still holding out hope for Jan Levinson’s return in the upcoming season, and honestly, the creator’s excitement is contagious. Her pitch sounds exactly like something Jan would do, and I’m really pulling for it. If the show keeps digging into the messy side of reality TV – which it should – having Jan face the camera herself would be brilliant. But honestly, I’d be thrilled with any way they bring her back. Jan remains one of the most underrated characters from The Office, and I’ve missed her!

The show The Paper has been picked up for another season! Although we don’t know exactly when, it’s likely to be back on screens in late 2026 or early 2027.

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2026-01-05 17:10