Showrunner Paul Lieberstein confirmed Monday that James Spader won’t be returning to “The Office” next season.
Spader’s character, Robert California, was introduced in the last season finale and has recurred frequently in the current season as the new head of Dunder-Mifflin’s parent company.
Lieberstein says the plan was always for Spader to remain only a single season, but the news does open the door for the return of Kathy Bates, whose “Harry’s Law” is the lowest-rated hourlong on NBC not named “The Firm” and almost certainly headed for cancellation. Bates played the CEO of Sabre before Spader did and her character remains Sabre chairman.
Though its audience has fallen off considerably since Steve Carell left the sitcom, “The Office” remains NBC’s top-rated scripted primetime series and is expected to be renewed for at least another year. Lieberstein is also reportedly at work on a spin-off set at the Schrute Farms bed and breakfast.
