Office Ladies – Episode: The Paper Interviews #2 with Chelsea Fry Release Date: August 15, 2025
In this engaging episode of Office Ladies, hosts Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey delve into an exclusive interview with Chelsea Fry, a new addition to The Paper series. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their conversation, highlighting key discussions, insightful anecdotes, and memorable quotes, all while maintaining a natural flow for both longtime fans and newcomers.
Introduction to the Episode
The episode begins with Jenna and Angela setting the stage for their special Friday edition, focusing on their recent interview with Chelsea Fry from The Paper.
Jenna Fischer (02:14):
"Hello, everyone. Welcome to another special Friday episode of Office Ladies. This week, we are sharing our interview with Chelsea Fry from The Paper."
Angela Kinsey (02:32):
"The Paper is coming out on September 4th on Peacock, and we found out they are planning to release the first four episodes."
Interview with Chelsea Fry
Getting to Know Chelsea Fry
Chelsea introduces herself and her character, Mare Preeti, providing listeners with an understanding of her role in The Paper.
Chelsea Fry (04:32):
"I am Chelsea Fry, and my character name is Mare Preeti."
Chelse’s Character Insight (04:39):
"Mare is an army vet. She's born and raised in Ohio. She's very practical... When Ned shows up, I think this fire is reignited in her of hope and excitement and doing something maybe she cares about with her life."
Chelsea’s Background
The conversation shifts to Chelsea’s personal background, contrasting her real-life origins with her character’s.
Angela Kinsey (05:30):
"So you mentioned your character was born and raised in Ohio, but what about you?"
Chelsea Fry (05:36):
"I'm from Boston. I grew up in Andover, Massachusetts... Now I got my entire family to move out here. So we're all California people now."
Auditioning for The Paper
Jenna and Angela probe into Chelsea’s journey to landing her role, revealing the challenges and serendipity involved in her audition process.
Jenna Fischer (06:06):
"So how did you get your job on The Paper? Can you tell us about your audition process?"
Chelsea Fry (06:06):
"I was in New York shooting something... I was the lead of a show for two years that was just a strike casualty... then I was shooting a rom-com and did the audition for what turned out to be The Paper... I just put it on tape and totally improvised it with my friend Blake."
Jenna Fischer (07:11):
"So your audition sides were nothing that gave anything away about what you were doing, is that correct?"
Chelsea Fry (07:19):
"Yes. It literally said, like, untitled Greg Daniels. I didn't even know what they were about. I just improvised."
Chelsea shares a humorous anecdote about miscommunicating her character’s background during the chemistry read, emphasizing her genuine passion and commitment.
Chelsea Fry (09:00):
"I wrote Greg a letter saying that I just wanted the part so bad... I was so embarrassed. But, yeah, that was the... I still can't believe it."
Adapting to the Mockumentary Style
Chelsea discusses the unique challenges of performing in a mockumentary format, particularly the interaction with the camera.
Chelsea Fry (13:44):
"I found that trying to find my exact relationship to the camera and what I want from it... It’s definitely taken a minute."
Jenna Fischer (15:24):
"It happens."
Chelsea humorously reflects on her early days adapting to looking into the camera, sharing relatable experiences for actors in similar formats.
Chelsea Fry (15:37):
"If I ever work again, the next thing I do, I'm gonna be like, looking at the camera. They're gonna be like, stop it."
Maintaining Secrecy on Set
The hosts and Chelsea delve into the importance of maintaining secrecy during the taping of The Paper, drawing parallels to their own experiences on The Office.
Angela Kinsey (17:33):
"We also know that everyone has been sworn to secrecy during this whole taping. What was it like when your family found out you booked this job? And what has it been like for you at holidays when they want to know stuff and you cannot tell them?"
Chelsea Fry (17:53):
"My agents called me and told me not to tell anybody. I was crying because I had to keep it a secret even from my mother, who eventually found out and told others."
Chelsea shares the tension of keeping her role under wraps, highlighting the challenges actors face in maintaining confidentiality.
Chelsea Fry (19:31):
"While they were writing it, they would get lunch every day at this Mediterranean restaurant, Tsum Tsum... It became the alias for the set, and now we have water bottles with Tsum Tsum on them."
This segment reveals the behind-the-scenes rituals and stories that contribute to the show's unique atmosphere.
Reflections and Closing Thoughts
As the interview wraps up, Chelsea expresses her gratitude and excitement about being part of The Paper, while Jenna and Angela reflect on the experience of hosting the interview.
Chelsea Fry (20:51):
"I'd love to share more about my character arc once the show comes out. This is a dream. Thank you so much."
Angela Kinsey (21:02):
"We hope that once the show comes out, we'd love to have you in our studio and you can talk to us more."
Jenna Fischer (22:12):
"We love Chelsea's story about her audition and how she really committed to a Boston accent at first."
The hosts express their admiration for Chelsea's dedication and enthusiasm for future collaborations, leaving listeners eager for The Paper’s premiere.
Conclusion
This episode of Office Ladies offers a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Chelsea Fry, providing fans with a deeper understanding of her character Mare Preeti and the intricate process of joining the Office universe. Through candid discussions about auditions, adapting to the mockumentary style, and maintaining secrecy on set, Chelsea offers a relatable and inspiring narrative that resonates with both aspiring actors and dedicated fans alike.
Note: Advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections from the original podcast have been omitted to focus solely on the interview and its key elements.