James Spader will not return to NBC’s “The Office” after this season.
After one season filling in the void left by Steve Carell as Dunder Mifflin CEO Robert California, the 52-year-old actor has decided not to return for the show’s ninth season.
“James always wanted this to be a one-year arc, and he now leaves us having created one of the most enigmatic and dynamic characters in television,” executive producer Paul Lieberstein tells Variety.
“He’s been a great friend to me and the show, helping us successfully transition into the post-Michael Scott years, and I’m grateful for that.”
Despite a drop in ratings, “The Office” still remains the network’s highest rated Thursday night comedy.
NBC has yet to officially announce if ‘The Office’ will return for a ninth season this fall . It’s believed that the fallout from two projects will likely play into NBC’s decision on whether the show gets renewed for another season.
One being “Office” writer/star Mindy Kaling, who recently just completed a pilot at Fox and could leave the show if her series is picked up. Another being a spin-off centered around Rainn Wilson’s chracter Dwight Schrute and his life on his family’s beet farm.