Peacock is heading back to Scranton with new documentary series exploring the history and lasting popularity of The Office. According to Deadline, the streamer has acquired Fan Level Midnight: Devoted to The Office, a six-episode documentary series directed by Shawn Cauthen (The Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story, A Disturbance in the Force).
All six episodes are set to debut on Peacock on September 7, with the documentary focusing at how the U.S. version of The Office went from a struggling television adaptation to one of the most enduring workplace comedies of its era. The filmmakers traveled from Scranton, Pennsylvania, the fictional home of Dunder Mifflin, to the show’s former soundstages in Van Nuys, California.
Along the way, Fan Level Midnight will explore the battle to keep the series on NBC, the development of Michael Scott and the creative choices behind episodes including “Diversity Day,” “Office Olympics” and “Dinner Party.” The documentary will also examine the impact of Steve Carell’s (The Morning Show, Foxcatcher) departure and the show’s continued connection with its fans..
“The Office became something much bigger than a television show,” Cauthen said, explaining that the documentary will focus both on the people who created the series and the fans who continued supporting it. New interviews include former NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly, director and executive producer Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Freaks and Geeks), and cast members Andy Buckley (Veep, Jurassic World) and Leslie David Baker (The Office, Doug Unplugs).
The documentary will also use archival interviews and footage featuring Rainn Wilson (Six Feet Under, The Meg), Ed Helms (The Hangover, Vacation), Jenna Fischer (Blades of Glory, Splitting Up Together), John Krasinski (A Quiet Place, Jack Ryan), Angela Kinsey (Haters Back Off, Your Family or Mine), (Inside Out, Bad Teacher) and Will Ferrell (Anchorman, Elf), among others.
The September 7 release also places Fan Level Midnight just ahead of season two of The Paper, which premieres September 9. The mockumentary takes place in the same universe as The Office, following the documentary crew as it turns its attention to the struggling Toledo Truth Teller.