After his scene-stealing appearance in the season finale of “The Office,” James Spader is in talks to return for the show’s eighth season.
Interestingly, though his appearance saw him vying for the regional manager role vacated by Steve Carell’s Michael Scott, both EW and THR say Spader’s Robert California is now being eyed to replace Kathy Bates’ Jo Bennett as the CEO of Dunder Mifflin Sabre.
According to the desired plans, Spader’s character would deem the role of regional manager too small and somehow move into the greater CEO role. Bates, who was a recurring guest in that role, will end her “Office” tenure early in season eight to better-focus on “Harry’s Law.”
That would leave the regional manager post open; sources are still unclear on who will be tapped to fill the Michael Scott void.